Tag: Fremantle council

GOVERNMENTS REVEAL FREMANTLE HAS WORST FINANCIAL RECORD & HIGHEST PAID MAYOR IN WA

~ Roger Garwood ~ 3 Comments
IMG_9107
                          Work progressing on Fremantle Council’s new Administration Centre 

•Fremantle Has Highest Financial Risk Factor

•Brad Pettitt Top of the Financial League of Mayors

•Government Advise Ratepayers: ‘question council performances

Statistics, published in The West Australian (17th April 2018), show Dr Brad Pettitt has become the highest paid mayor in Western Australia.. These figures are confirmed by Fremantle Council’s accounts and exclude various allowances. 

Additional statistics, published in WA Government’s Financial Health Index (FHI), show that during Dr Pettitt’s tenure the City of Fremantle has fallen to the lowest position in the State with a Financial Health Index  figure of 44

In two of the immediate past three financial years the city had a low score of 42 and 44. In the Financial year of 2016-17 the score was also very low but the city changed its accounting methodology and elevated the FHI to 87. At that time Treasury issued a statement saying: ‘We stand by our original figures’.

Top Mayoral Salaries are:

Fremantle: $139,419

Joondalup: $139,410

Belmont:   $139,409

Bayswater: $139,310

The Financial Health Index of those Councils show:

Fremantle: 44

Joondalup: 61

Bayswater: 86

Belmont:   94

The higher the score, the better the financial health of a council. These scores are an indication of financial management and of services offered to ratepayers. They show ratepayers’ their value for money.

It is interesting to note the second lowest performance is Nedlands with an FHI of 50. Fremantle based consultancy LewiCorp Pty Ltd, owned by Chris Lewis who spearheaded the failed ‘Keep the Dockers in Fremantle’ campaign, is shown as being paid as a council adviser in the accounts of both Fremantle and Nedlands. Lewis was also instrumental in a fundraising campaign for Dr Pettit’s first mayoral campaign. 

GOVERNMENT ADVISES COMMUNITIES TO QUESTION COUNCIL PERFORMANCES

The WA Government website <https://mycouncil.wa.gov.au/Council/CompareAllCouncil> advise to ratepayers states: “A very high or low FHI may be a prompt for questions to be asked by the community about a local government’s revenue, expenses, and service delivery. The FHI is best viewed as a trend over time”

ACADEMIC THEORY- ARE THE CHOOKS COMING HOME TO ROOST ?

When Dr Pettitt was first elected mayor he stated: ‘. . . I’m delighted to be able to put my academic theories into practice in Fremantle . . . ’. but has never detailed his academic theories. After nearly ten years in the top job, and based on the performance of council under his leadership, the theories must be questioned.

A ratepayer-funded, multimillion dollar, public relations campaign has failed to halt the slide in the city’s fortunes. The campaign includes websites, newspaper advertising and a magazine which has ceased publication after council admitted it has failed. 

There is a growing impatience among ratepayers and businesses, a very high proportion of whom have closed shop and left or are struggling to pay higher rents and increasing rates in the face of falling customer numbers.

FAILED PROMISES

The city’s east end now has approximately 80 vacant retail premises with no sign of the resurgence of business promised as a result of the development of a Woolworth’s shopping centre (now prematurely closed). The increase of trade from residents expected from new developments have not materialised. Anectodal evidence indicates the LIV apartments are about 50% occupied following an increase in service personnel taking up residence..

In the instance of the re-development of Atwell Arcade the mayor promised that 300 people would be employed in the new offices. That was three years ago. So far there are about 40.

Without knowing Dr Pettitt’s academic theories it is difficult to comment but there is scant evidence of their success. There is no questioning Brad Pettitt’s youthful enthusiasm but after ten years it is reasonable to question the efficacy of his theories.

Over the next few weeks Fremantle Backchat will examine issues related to the current failure of the city to improve its financial position.

Part Two: Next Week. Council’s Lack of Transparency

Roger Garwood, Editor. <editorbackchat@gmail.com>

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MELLOW YELLOW, THE MAYOR,  DONOVAN AND  AN ELECTRIC BANANA  WHICH WENT PEAR SHAPED

~ Roger Garwood ~ Leave a comment

THE TRUE STORY OF A FABLED ARTWORK  WHICH USED THE WRONG RECIPE

Back in the mid 1960s, the days of flower power and a few substances, other than alcohol, which could mess with your head  I was fortunate enough to be living and working in the middle of London. 

Naturally I was cautious about imbibing in substances other than water or eating anything more adventurous than a cucumber sandwich.

At that time, around 1965,  a young troubadour by the name of Donovan was making waves in the music world. His lyrics were a little difficult to understand but a modicum of research has revealed that he may have been the unwitting instigator of the great artwork in Fremantle which is now refusing to leave. 

MELLOW YELLOW

One of his hits from around 1966 was ‘Mellow Yellow’. Nobody has actually been able to work out what it was all about, let alone Donovan himself.  

One verse runs:

Electrical banana

Is gonna be a sudden craze

Electrical banana

Is bound to be the very next phase

Nobody actually knew what an Electric Banana was.  Donovan was unable to offer a clear explanation and there may have been a good reason.

However one story is that an Electric Banana was made by getting a couple of sticks of Juicy Fruit chewing gum and inserting them under the skin of the ‘nana. The fruit was then left to mature over a few days and, in fact, go a little mouldy. Hence ‘Mellow Yellow’ Then, and there are several versions of this, you simply peel the banana and eat it, gum and all. The net results were some pretty wild hallucinations.

Some people say it didn’t work. I confess my memory is not serving me well.

FAST FORWARD TO FREO FESTIVAL 2017

It does appear that our mayor  dreamt that a  lot of banana shaped curves, draped artistically on the walls of the West End buildings, would serve the city well. 

Thus the dream of Brad and Felice the Artist came to fruition (fruit being the operative word). The High Street was decorated with banana peel look-alike graphics. It worked and the world woke up to the dream.

Sadly, or at least amusingly, the artwork is refusing to leave us and true to the legend, going a little mouldy. It’s now supplying endless entertainment. It is, as the mayor likes to expound – a sustainable dream come true. 

MISSING: PAINT STRIPPER AND AN  ELECTRIC DILDO

Those of us who have been around since well before the last rains know the original recipe for the Mellow Yellow bananas didn’t work too well. 

A modified version was derived using Dichloromethane injected into the bananas. It apparently worked wonders. But here’s the real rub – Dichloromethane is  nothing more than paint stripper! Had the Mayor used an up-dated recipe for the idea in the first place maybe the art would disappear immediately, just like any other hallucinogen. (I’m not sure up-dated is the right word)

Of course it doesn’t end there. Donovan did at one time confess he’d heard an electric banana is a yellow, battery powered, dildo. 

The mind boggles but there may be enough of them in the sex shop in High Street to supply council members with a few to strip paint, or whatever moves their fancy. I didn’t use ‘up-dated’ in this paragraph but was tempted.

Here are the lyrics to Mellow Yellow. Maybe they can sing along to them while they work and dream.

MELLOW YELLOW (Written by © Donovan Leith, circa 1965)

I’m just mad about Saffron

Saffron’s mad about me

I’m just mad about Saffron

She’s just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

I’m just mad about Fourteen

Fourteen’s mad about me

I’m just mad about Fourteen

She’s just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

Born high forever to fly

Wind velocity nil

Wanna high forever to fly

If you want your cup I will fill

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

Electrical banana

Is gonna be a sudden craze

Electrical banana

Is bound to be the very next phase

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

Saffron, yeah

I’m just mad about her

I’m just mad about Saffron

She’s just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

(Quite rightly)

They call me mellow yellow

Roger Garwood

Editor: <editorbackchat@gmail.com

ARE SIRONA SOLVENT?

~ Roger Garwood ~ 1 Comment
HAVE FREMANTLE RATEPAYERS  SETTLED SIRONA CAPITAL’S DEBT TO BUILDERS COOPER & OXLEY?
In February this year the administrators for Perth builders Cooper and Oxley implemented legal action to recover a debt of  $6.12m allegedly owed by Sirona Capital, the developers of Fremantle’s King’s Square.
   Last month (May 2018) Sirona Capital’s  Managing Director Mathew MacNeilly quietly announced the case was settled. Presumably the debt had been paid.
   It’s reasonable conjecture to ask whether Fremantle’s councillors may have fallen for a well orchestrated smoke and mirrors trick.
   Over a year ago Sirona Capital requested a twelve month extension to pay for one of several properties purchased from Fremantle ratepayers’ assets.
   The 12 month deferred payment of $6.65m was due on May 9th 2018. It is for Sirona Capital’s acquisition of the Spicer site, one of a number of assets sold to the developer by council but not yet paid for.
   On February 8th this year journalists Kim MacDonald and Grant Taylor reported in  Perth Now  that a Supreme Court writ had been issued against Sirona Capital.
   MacDonald and Taylor outlined the writ claimed Sirona Capital’s directors and other executives had acted “fraudulently”,  “negligently” and made “misrepresentations” related to the conversion of a $5m loan into equity.
Cooper and Oxley’s administrators were seeking $5 million plus 15% interest on that sum since late 2011, about $1.2 million, plus unspecified damages.
WERE, OR ARE,  SIRONA SOLVENT?
   If Sirona Capital did pay Cooper and Oxley Councillors must now ask why did they not pay the $6.65m debt to ratepayers first?
If they did not pay money to Cooper and Oxley, nor to Fremantle the question is: “Were, or are, Sirona Capital solvent?”
   If on May 9th, 2018, Sirona could not pay their debt to Fremantle City Council and/or to Cooper and Oxley, they may have been insolvent,  had a legal obligation to stop trading immediately, or seek settlement with creditors. It appears they did the latter when asking for extended time to pay Fremantle Council.
IS THIS A TIMELINE OF INTRIGUE WORTHY OF WA INC?
APRIL 2017
SIRONA CAPITAL : PAYMENT TO COUNCIL FOR $6.65M DEFERRED

The new due date for payment of the Spicer Site was 9th May 2018.

FEBRUARY 2018
BUILDERS COOPER AND OXLEY CALL IN ADMINISTRATORS
7th FEBRUARY  2018
WRIT ISSUED AGAINST SIRONA CAPITAL FOR $6.12m
It was reported  the administrator of Cooper & Oxley , Cameron Shaw of accountants Hall Chadwick, issued writs against Sirona Capital for $6.12m.
11th APRIL  2018
SIRONA CAPITAL SEEK ADDITIONAL EXTENSION FOR PAYMENT OF THE SPICER SITE : GRANTED BY COUNCIL
   Council members unanimously approved a proposal by Mayor Pettitt and seconded by Cr Hume that Sirona Capital be granted an additional 6 months to pay for the Spicer site.
Council minutes record:
  “That Council authorise the Chief Executive Officer authority to approve extension of the settlement date for the former Spicer property for a period up to 30 September, 2018 and amend the Project Development Deed in accordance with this extension.”
This was probably the earliest possible date the application for an extension could have been put before full council since the writ was issued.
19th APRIL  2018
ACTION DROPPED : WRIT ‘SETTLED’
   Immediately after gaining the  extension Matthew McNeilly, Sirona Capital’s Managing Director, announced action by the Cooper and Oxley administrators has been  withdrawn. Had $6.12m claim has been paid?  McNeill described it as  ‘settled’.
   It is reasonable supposition that the $6.65m for the May 9th payment for the Spicer site may have been used to settle the debt claimed by Cooper and Oxley’s administrators.
17th MAY  2018
SIRONA CAPITAL ANNOUNCE $190m FINANCIAL PACKAGE FOR KINGS SQUARE PROJECT

Only four weeks after the Cooper and Oxley case was settled McNeilly announced $190m funding for the KSP.  The company had secured the funding from First State Super (FSS) and Altis Property partners. FSS manage the superannuation funds of 800,000 public service employees. McNeill claimed  banks  had ‘lost out’ on the chance to fund the King’s Square project.

A $190m financial package is not achieved overnight.  Sirona Capital must have been aware they had finance arranged, or were sure of getting it, before they asked for additional time to pay for the Spicer site.

  Fremantle’s Councillors may have fallen for a well planned financial manoeuvre.
SIRONA CAPITAL ARE ‘CASHED UP’ BUT FREMANTLE’S ECONOMY HAS COLLAPSED
   Observers are aware that Sirona had difficulty gaining financial backing from investors for the King’s Square redevelopment.
  There are close to 130 empty or demolished retail premises in Fremantle.   That includes shops demolished to make way for the shelved Hilton Hotel development; the Woolworth’s centre next to St Patrick’s Basilica; shops empty in arcades including the Coles Woolstore centre; shops under redevelopment by Sirona Capital and about 85 visually empty premises in the CBD.
   Faced with that scenario it is not surprising  investors display  caution before funding the construction of retail premises which form a substantial part of the King’s Square Plan.
  Fremantle cannot survive on the smell of coffee beans, hop extracts and festivals. The city is now ranked among the least financially secure shires in Western Australia. In short, the city’s economy has collapsed.
COUNCIL LOSING MINIMUM OF $1,000,000 BANK INTEREST
   Councillors must demand Sirona Capital settle for their purchase of ratepayers’ assets. They owe $6.65m for the Spicer site alone. They could be earning considerable interest on  money which is lost to the city and could be in excess of $1,000,000.
   To cover Sirona’s Capital’s non payment for a number of assets the City’s financial managers have removed $12.65m from the reserve fund, thus losing interest on that deposit. Over  3-4 years that could amount to interest of  $3,000,000. The council have described to cost as insignificant.
   Fremantle’s ratepayers – the real financial lifeblood of the city – must ask for an independent inquiry into the Kings Square Plan which has been shrouded by secrecy and spin.

WHOOPS! “FUCK YOU BRAD”.

~ Roger Garwood ~ 5 Comments

I dare not use the term “FUCK YOU BRAD”. 

Many of us are beginning to realise the leadership of council is rather self centred, thin skinned and demonstrably inept. In fact there is concern as to who is actually directing the city. 

DOES THE MAYOR REALLY GIVE A FUCK?

Poor Brad didn’t have his familiar cheesy grin in place when The Herald printed their controversial headline a couple of weeks ago. He delivered  a severe rap over the knuckles to The Herald’s editorial team. It must have been like being hit in the kisser with a damp (undoubtably recycleable) nappy.

YET HE WAS SILENT WHEN AN EX SQUEEZE ADVISED YOUNG GIRLS ‘FORGET YOUR PANTS’  WHEN GOING TO CONCERTS’.

A few weeks ago Brad did not say a word, other than provide tacit endorsement, when one of his former ‘squeezes’, City Ward Councillor Rachel Pemberton, encouraged girls who were planning  to attend the Falls Festival to wear a recommended dress code:

‘NO KNICKERS, SEE THROUGH BRA (or no bra) and FUCK ME BOOTS”’ 

Pemberton made  the comments  on her ratepayer funded blog. 

Is there a sniff of hypocrisy in the council chamber? You bet there is.

The Herald team apologised over the juxtaposition of their headline which made it appear the comment was made by indigenous leader Bropho. But the story was solid.

THE TROLLS WERE OUT

It seems obvious that the Cult of Brad was activated over the headline which clearly ruffled the poor possum’s fur and the trolls were sent out to do battle. The Herald’s letter pages were littered with the cult’s self righteous comments.

WHO IS THE REAL HERO?

Fremantle Backchat would like to meet the real hero of this story – the woman who told the Mayor to get fucked.

Here’s the original story from the Herald, sans Mr Bropho.

Trolls can contact:

Roger Garwood, Editor, Backchat

editorbackchat@gmail.com

COUNCILLOR PEMBERTON: “FREE BOOB AND ‘F*CK ME’ BOOTS”

~ Roger Garwood ~ Leave a comment

FREO COUNCILLOR ENDORSES ‘FREE BOOB AND F*CK ME’ DRESS CODE FOR FALLS FESTIVAL GIRLS

Fremantle City Ward Councillor Rachel Pemberton endorsed a sexually explicit dress code for girls attending the Falls Festival in Fremantle last weekend (6th & 7th December). Following a series of alleged sexual assaults at the Falls Festival in Tasmania Pemberton wrote on her blog:

“Women’s fashion tips from Falls – pants are optional, a transparent bra is a visible alternative to a top or you can simply ‘free boob’, and ‘f*ck me’ boots are back in fashion”.

The statement was revealed by Freo Streetwise, magazine edited and published by journalist Carmelo Amalifi. Streetwise is rapidly gaining a reputation for tackling the hard news in Fremantle and calling the City Council to account.

26229428_1869962293033590_7758654705970673144_n
Screenshot from Freo Steetwise Facebook page which attracted condemnation of City Ward Councillor Rachel Pemberto’s comment.

 

TACIT SUPPORT FOR PEMBERTON FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL

The story, published on the Streetwise magazines Facebook page, has resulted in condemnation from the community but gained tacit support from Mayor Brad Pettitt, a former partner of Pemberton, and North Fremantle Councillor Doug Thompson. Instead of offering a reasonable explanation for her statement Pemberton, in the face of concerned critics, simply accused them of cyber bullying.

OPPORTUNITY LOST

Pemberton, a high profile councillor, had the opportunity to condemn the dress code she publicly endorsed. She had an outstanding chance to support the right of women to wear whatever they wish, wherever they wish, without making themselves targets of sexual predators. She promoted the  opposite position,  giving credence to predatory sexual behaviour. Thompson, the city’s longest service councillor, made the observation that comments condemning Rachel Pemberton demonstrated the worst aspects of social media.

Thompson’s comment, endorsed  by Pettitt, ignored the issue of the City Ward Councillor’s sexually explicit post, thus offering tacit support. Nor, (at the time of writing), has any councillor criticised Pemberton. The comments on the Facebook page of Freo Streetwise presented an opportunity for Pemberton to explain in detail her post, maybe to apologise for it. Her only defense was to accuse critics of bullying. They didn’t. They were shocked, wanted an explanation  and called for her dismissal, resignation and an inquiry into council’s code of ethics.The problems faced at Falls in Tasmania were published nationally over a number of days.

PEMBERTON: A QUESTIONABLE ROLE MODEL

Recent Mayoral challenger Ra Stewart said:

“Rachel Pemberton as the mother of two young women attending this event I am appalled at your comments. There was no suggestion about female empowerment in your statement, you provided commentary on a dress code and the inference was most definitely derogative. I would hate to think how your comments are interpreted by young men, let alone my daughters.”

Stewart questioned Pemberton’s position as a role model in the city.

“You’re kidding right… Rachel Pemberton, as a leader in our city, Councillor, and role model (?) for our young women”.

APPALLING & IRRESPONSIBLE:

Claudia Green, an expert in governance – the manner in which all branches of government should operate – and recent City Ward candidate, commented:

“ …Councillor Pemberton is in breach of her role and responsibility as an elected representative and public servant paid from the public purse, apart from the appalling message she is sending. 

“She has claimed a conflict of interest to abrogate her duties to represent her electorate in the Sunset development planning application by accepting freebies from Sunset. Now this awful abrogation of responsibility of her duties as an elected representative of public service. 

“The CEO and the Mayor need to bring her into line and reprimand her and be brought to the appropriate Committee for discipline. She should be sacked. Once verified, a complaint will be laid. She is bringing the Council into disrepute.”

Green is correct in calling on the Mayor and CEO to refer the matter to a disciplinary committee. Together  with other posted comments she asks for Pemberton to be sacked. However the early signs from council indicate that all councillors will offer tacit support to Pemberton’s unconscionable, amoral, advice.

Rachel Pemberton could demonstrate a moral and ethical backbone by admitting her vacuous judgement, apologise and resign immediately. If any councillors have any morality or understanding of professional ethics they will condemn Pemberton, call for her resignation and get on with the job of running a city in crisis.

By not condemning Pemberton’s blog post the mayor and his councillor’s are endorsing an increasing public opinion that they are out of touch with the wishes of the community for higher standards of professional ethics and morality to be demonstrated. At the very least Councillor Pemberton, who receives substantial payments from ratepayers, should be stood down and an independent inquiry, with representation by ratepayers, held. A closed door cover-up will not be acceptable.

NOTE: It appears that Pemberton has recently removed her blog post but no explanation or apology is offered.

 

Roger Garwood

editorbackchat@gmail.com