oneperth.com.au | Perth news

CHRIS THOMSON

The Outlaws bikie den in Port Kennedy is now dead – according to City of Rockingham officials.

In February, oneperth.com.au gave readers an exclusive sneak peak inside the now-defunct clubhouse as it looked before authorities shut it down in April last year.

Plans lodged for the city to approve a “motorcycle detailing and storage and party promotions showroom” were considered bogus by the city’s planners.

The planners considered the real intention of the development application was to rekindle the clubhouse. They recommended the “showroom” be refused.

However, a planning inspection on April 19 this year confirmed club emblems had been removed and painted over. Club paraphernalia and a double, glass-door bar fridge had also been removed.

A long bar, pool table, two booths, two TVs, fire place and lounges remained.

The planners now advise that the main problem with approving the “showroom” would be that it could easily be converted back to a clubhouse.

Lawyers for the property’s owner – a company based in Launceston, Tasmania known by its Australian Company Number of 069 744 823 Pty Ltd – have assured the warehouse will not be used as a clubhouse.

The planners have now recommended that the “showroom” be approved, with a raft of conditions including that the bar be removed.

CHRIS THOMSON

EXCLUSIVE, MAY 16 UPDATE: Zelda’s, the infamous Rockingham strip club, today had its appeal against the suspension of its liquor licence rejected.

On May 3, oneperth.com.au revealed that Zelda’s had that day been temporarily shut down pending resolution of a serious police complaint.

An appeal against that decision by liquor licensing director Barry Sargeant was today thrown out by the Liquor Commission of Western Australia.

The commission determined there had been sufficient evidence over a long period of time involving several complaints to warrant the suspension of Zelda’s’ liquor licence until a police complaint listed for hearing on June 7 is dealt with.

Zelda’s is located at the corner of Kent Street and Patterson Road, not far from Rockingham’s main seaside cafe strip.

The police complaint in question was lodged on March 26 by Detective Superintendent Jim Migro.

He complained under Section 95 of the Liquor Act – which allows a venue to be shut down, have its licence suspended or cancelled, or be fined for breaching conditions of a licence.

A copy of the complaint had been forwarded to Mr Sargeant who forwarded it on to club licensee Tocoan Pty Ltd for a response.

In its reply, Tocoan claimed Detective Superintendent Migro had accused it of condoning violence and illegal behaviour by patrons including known criminals.

Tocoan argued it could not be held accountable for violence that occurred near, but not in, Zelda’s.

However, Mr Sargeant considered it in the public interest to suspend Zelda’s licence immediately pending determination of Detective Superintendent Migro’s complaint.

In November last year, Tocoan, trading a Zelda’s, was fined $15,000 after police told Mr Freemantle of 27 alleged assaults near the venue between January 2009 and June 2010.

The 27 alleged assaults were among 31 incidents that included alleged indecent conduct by a naked employee toward a police officer.

At the time, Mr Freemantle also found that a pornographic video playing inside Zelda’s had been visible from the street.

CHRIS THOMSON

A six-storey tavern, betting agency and 387-apartment project approved for the seaside former Waikiki Hotel site in Rockingham is now set to be developed in stages, first as a more modest, four-storey structure.

In December 2010, Rockingham council approved plans by local developer Damian Rae for a swish, project up to eight storeys at the corner of Malibu and Safety Bay Roads in Waikiki.

A recommendation of approval to be debated by a state government planning committee on Thursday seeks to kick the site’s development off by first building a four-storey project (pictured below, left), called ‘Lumia’.

The project, which planners have recommended for approval, would include 38 apartments, 12 short-stay units, a restaurant and four shops or offices.

An advertising period saw 47 of 62 (or 76 per cent) of local commenters support the revised plans.

Exactly the same percentage of local commenters (76 per cent, or 204 of 266 commenters) had supported the original plans.

Stage Two of the planned development is pictured in the images, above right.

For more than 45 years the site of the planned project housed the Waikiki Hotel  which was demolished three years ago.

STAFF REPORTER

Police contend that an allegedly speeding and inadequately licensed biker crashed into a booze bus warning sign last night.

At 9.45pm police at the booze bus at Patterson Road in East Rockingham saw a motorcycle approaching, allegedly at very high speed.

While the bike was still some distance from the testing station, police say it broke heavily.

Its wheels locked up and the bike skidded into the mudguard of a brightly-illuminated traffic hazard warning trailer.

The 32-year-old rider then skidded across the road onto the verge.

Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said that her colleagues went to the biker’s assistance, and called an ambulance.

The biker was taken to Rockingham Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Ms Usher said inquiries had indicated the rider had allegedly consumed some alcohol before the crash.

She said it would be alleged that the biker did not have the appropriate class of drivers licence to ride a motorcycle.

Inquiries are continuing and no charges have been laid.

CHRIS THOMSON

EXCLUSIVE: Camp Australia – which runs 400 care facilities for 50,000 children nationwide – has been fined $52,500 for inadequately supervising minors at seven schools in Perth’s western, southern and northern suburbs.

In his decision published today, State Administrative Tribunal Deputy President David Parry noted the private company had contravened Western Australia’s child care legislation 13 times between January 2010 and June 2011.

The breaches occurred during Camp Australia childcare sessions at Christchurch Grammar School, and Cottesloe, Freshwater Bay, Swanbourne, Rockingham Beach, North Morley and Richmond
primary schools.

The fact the breaches continued for between 108 and 341 days was considered by Judge Parry to be an aggravating factor. The average period of contravention at each school was almost six months.

SKILLS SHORTAGE

Camp Australia told Judge Parry the breaches were caused by a severe skills shortage, after 59 per cent of its staff turned over in 2010 and 36 per cent in 2011.

The company said that pausing services at the seven Perth schools while there was no supervising officer present would have had a ‘catastrophic effect’ for families with working parents.

At an earlier tribunal hearing, Camp Australia had admitted it failed at various times to ensure a supervising officer was present at the seven schools.

It also admitted to not immediately telling the Department for Communities when the supervising officers based at six of the schools resigned.

NO NOTICE

At the latest hearing, the department argued Camp Australia should be required to display a notice at the schools to tell parents of the tribunal findings.

Judge Parry considered this was not needed because the fine achieved the “protective purpose” of the tribunal case.

Before he retired late last year, Cottesloe Primary School principal Greg Teede provided a testimony for the Camp Australia website.

“Camp Australia has provided a successful and effective out of school hours care program at Cottesloe Primary School since 2009,” the website quotes Mr Teede as saying.

“Camp Australia staff continually demonstrate high standards of professional conduct and actively interact with students who attend the out of school hours care program sessions.

“The sessions range from meal preparation through to learning activities, sport and play.”

“Cottesloe parent feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction in the provision of care for the children and the quality of the overall program.”

CHRIS THOMSON

EXCLUSIVE, MARCH 20 UPDATE: Low-grade sewage is set to flow into the ocean off Perth until at least 2025 – contrary to repeated promises by the Water Corporation and at least a decade longer than stated in government policy.

The revelation has dumbfounded local officials who have recommended a major lobbying campaign be launched to keep WaterCorp to its word.

Many times in recent years, WaterCorp has promised to shut down the Point Peron wastewater treatment plant by the end of 2015.

Point Peron is the only plant in Western Australia to still pump primary sewage, with minimum treatment, into the sea.

POO PLUME

At the sewage outlet, four kilometres west of Rockingham and offshore from the idyllic Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, oozes a nutrient plume two kilometres long.

It is the largest poo plume off metropolitan Perth.

WaterCorp today confirmed the Point Peron plant must now stay open until at least 2025.

This is because funding has been deferred due to construction of the second phase of the southern seawater desalination plant north of Bunbury.

The “funding deferral” means a wastewater plant planned for East Rockingham will be built initially to a smaller scale than promised.

A fully operational plant at East Rockingham was needed in order to close the Point Peron one.

In its originally-promised form, the East Rockingham plant would have allowed the Point Peron one to be shut down by the end of 2015.

POLICY BREACH

The WaterCorp decision flies in the face of an Environmental Protection Authority objective to cease primary effluent discharge to Western Australia’s waterways by 2015.

In a recent submission to the Federal Government, WaterCorp acknowledged the land occupied by the Point Peron plant was under development pressure from a planned conservation zone and the mooted Mangles Bay Marina.

LOCAL RESISTANCE

City of Rockingham urban planners have urged their political masters to oppose the WaterCorp decision.

The planners have recommend the city launch a major campaign to push for the decision’s reversal.

A WaterCorp spokesperson today said its decision was not made lightly.

“We appreciate that this is a change in project scope previously indicated to stakeholders,” the spokesperson told oneperth.com.au.

“However, with the current tight economic position the state finds itself in, this decision will result in a substantial upfront capital cost saving – about $22 million – while providing the same level of service to customers, and allowing new connections to the system in the same timeframe.”

MCGOWAN MUM

The Point Peron plant sits in the electorate of Labor’s Mark McGowan – who recently rose to the lofty position of State Opposition Leader.

Yesterday, oneperth.com.au approached Mr McGowan for comment. Unlike WaterCorp, he did not oblige.

The WaterCorp spokesperson said the extended operations at Point Peron would not see the amount of discharged wastewater exceed a 20 MegaLitres per day limit currently set by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

STAFF REPORTER

Deaths among local Little Penguins reached four times the normal level in the second half of 2011, sparking fears for the long-term survival of the Perth population.

Murdoch University research associate Belinda Cannell, first noticed a spike in penguin deaths in September.

“Members of the public and Department of Conservation staff found dead penguins between Safety Bay and the mouth of the Donnelly River as well as on Penguin Island,” Dr Cannell said.

“Between 2006 and 2010 we found an average of 12 dead birds in the second half of the year, but in 2011 we found 49.”

Dr Cannell said the main reason for the penguins’ deaths was starvation – most likely caused by high sea temperatures.

“High sea surface temperatures are linked to the strong La Nina conditions and a strong Leeuwin current in the summer of 2010 and 2011,” Dr Cannell said.

“This ‘marine heat wave’ probably led to a decline in the fish stocks that the Little Penguins rely on for food.

“Other deaths have been caused by marine craft.”

Dr Cannell said penguins had been found with severed feet, cuts across their backs and broken necks.

Some penguins have also died from overheating.

Dr Cannell said that predictions for climate change in Australia’s southwest, meaning warming temperatures and less rain, could see more deaths.

“Penguins moult in the summer and without their waterproof feathers they can’t leave the island,” she said.

“If penguins lay their eggs later in the year, their chicks will be in the nests in November to January and are also at risk of death from overheating.”

Dr Cannell fears the spike in deaths will also see a reduction in the size of Perth’s Little Penguin population, threatening its long-term existence.

“Not only did we see an increase in dead birds, but breeding was also very poor in 2011,” she said.

The Little Penguins found at Penguin Island and Garden Island are at the northernmost extent of their range in Western Australia.

“The penguins in Perth are quite unique compared to other Little Penguin colonies, so it is vital we understand the various pressures they face in order to protect them,” Dr Cannell said.

Members of the public can also do their bit to help the penguins.

“It’s important that members of the public report any dead penguins they see on the foreshores from Perth to Dunsborough,” Dr Cannell said.

“Dead penguins should be reported to a DEC ranger – they can either be delivered to a DEC office or a ranger can pick them up.

“Many penguins are microchipped so we can retrieve important information if the deaths are reported.”

STAFF REPORTER

Six people associated with the Rebels bikie gang have been charged after a family was allegedly attacked at a Rockingham nightclub.

Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said that on Saturday, December 17, a man was out with his brother, 22-year-old sister, and other family members.

Ms Usher said that about 2:00am the man saw another man allegedly punch his sister in the face.

Both brothers went to the young woman’s assistance and were allegedly punched and kicked by the man and his friends.

The woman received a perforated ear drum and bruising to her body.

Her 34-year-old brother received a fractured rib, punctured lung and a dislocated jaw.

Her 21-year-old brother received bruises to his body.

The three required medical treatment for their injuries.

Police also allege that, soon after, the alleged offender punched and kicked another woman.

It is not known what injuries she received and police would like her to come forward and speak to them.

Yesterday, police executed five search warrants resulting in the arrest of six people in relation to the violence.

A 29-year-old Falcon man has been charged with two counts of acts or omissions causing bodily harm or danger, and one count of assault causing bodily harm

A 25-year-old Falcon woman has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, carrying an article to cause fear, and failing to comply with orders.

A 36-year-old Waikiki man, 19-year-old Cooloongup man, 25-year-old Rockingham man and 25-year-old Port Kennedy man have all been charged with acts or omissions causing bodily harm or danger.

Police inquiries revealed the alleged offenders where patched members, nominees or associates of the Rebels.

All six will appear in Rockingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 8.

STAFF REPORTER

The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting the operator of a Perth business for allegedly sacking a 16-year-old because the boy’s mother queried his pay.

Facing court are Port Kennedy man Stephen Ashley and his Willetton-based company West Coast Propellers Pty Ltd, which repairs, services and sells aeroplane propellers.

Mr Ashley allegedly hired the teenager in November, 2010 and told him he would be paid $5.32 an hour.

Court documents claim the boy’s mother contacted the Fair Work Infoline and received advice that the pay rate should be more than $7 an hour.

On her son’s behalf, the woman met Mr Ashley during her son’s first week at work to query the pay rate he had been offered.

After the meeting, Mr Ashley allegedly told the boy not to come to work until the matter was resolved – and then wrote to him telling him he was no longer employed.

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says a decision to prosecute was made because the dismissal allegedly constituted a serious breach of workplace law.

“Under the Fair Work Act, it is unlawful to dismiss or take any other adverse action against an employee for exercising a workplace right, such as querying or complaining about pay rates,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Ashley was allegedly involved in his company committing two breaches of workplace law. The maximum potential penalty per breach is $6600 for Mr Ashley and $33,000 for West Coast Propellers.

The case is listed for July 10 in the Federal Magistrates Court in Perth.

CHRIS THOMSON

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s what the alleged clubhouse of the Outlaws bikie gang looked like in December 2010 before authorities shut it down and – what it still looks like, structurally – ahead of a bid to fire it up again.

City of Rockingham documents published this week reveal that in April 2010 WA Police complained the warehouse in Toynbee Way, Port Kennedy, was allegedly being used as a clubhouse for the outlaw motorcycle gang.

After a long game of legal cat and mouse that included a police-escorted inspection of the premises, the city in April 2011 succeeded in shutting it down.

The photos here were taken during the December 2010 inspection. Police recently told the council that the warehouse had not returned to its former use.

However, plans have now been lodged for the city to approve a “motorcycle detailing and storage and party promotions showroom”.

The planning application claims the warehouse is to be used for business purposes of outfits called Black and White Motorcycles Party Promotions Showroom and White Motorcycles Detailing.

Council planners consider the proposed use to be bogus and that the real intention is to rekindle the clubhouse.

The planners note that no substantial changes have been proposed to the layout of the warehouse.

The images reveal two dining booths painted black, pool table, widescreen TV and ominous ‘GOD FORGIVES’ message running along the front of a bar.

The skull and crossbones Outlaws logo is liberally draped around the den walls.

Several parts of the photographs where offensive words were displayed have been blacked out by the city.

The owner of the property is a company based in Launceston, Tasmania known only by its Australian Company Number of 069 744 823 Pty Ltd.