Andrew Owens | Community organisation

Andrew Owens

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25.01.2022 Let's bring FTTC to the Hamersley and Girrawheen exchange areas.

25.01.2022 Hamersley's traffic design is poor at the best of times. But reducing Erindale Road to 60 km/h (currently 70) from Beach to Balcatta Roads is excessive. As you can see, the road has very few intersections, quite wide verges and a large median strip. The road does not have a history of fatal or major accidents. Once again, the City of Stirling and Main Roads have failed to consult with road users and Hamersley residents. I will fight to have this change reviewed (hopefully reversed!) and will be asking other questions about this and other difficult issues about southern Hamersley's transport failures. Vote Andrew Owens for Hamersley Ward - 6th box on the ballot.

23.01.2022 I have had many questions about the NBN. Hamersley, Carine and northern Gwelup rely on the HAMS exchange in Okely Road, Carine, while eastern Hamersley relies on an ageing exchange in Balgonie Avenue, Girrawheen. The residents on the eastern side of Erindale Road in Hamersley have some of the slowest internet in urban Australia (~1.0 Mbps), while in southern Hamersley ~3 Mbps is more typical. Karrinyup and parts of Gwelup and Balcatta have been converted to the NBN, but a mix...ture of inefficient Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology, long distances to nodes and poor behaviour by providers mean they have traded slow speeds for unstable connections. HAMS is due for conversion in late 2018, and unfortunately, it's the same technology Karrinyup etc is complaining about. So I've been hearing from residents from both areas about the issues they are having and, as an IT consultant who also has an online-based business in Hamersley, I was already aware of some of the problems and have been active on them since 2006. Stirling wants to encourage business, but in our online world with instant transaction processing, these businesses are forced into other areas if they want to compete. City of Stirling discussed doing something about this, but in my view was too easily put off by NBNCo who said the cost to change from FTTN to FTTP was in the millions. However, the cost of fibre has dropped, and with the emergence of the new FTTC (Fibre to the Curb - US spelling) method, there's no excuse for the City of Stirling to not stand up for some of Perth's most Internet-impoverished residents. If I am elected, I will push for the City of Stirling to take an active stand that all future rollouts in the City should be FTTC at minimum (preferably FTTP), am happy to work with other councillors to make this happen, and communicate this decision to federal authorities and actively work with them to ensure the late 2018 rollout is of this type. Hamersley Ward has had enough!

23.01.2022 The people of this ward are what make it special. Throughout this campaign I have heard things like: * "You are the first / only person we've seen around here" * "You listen, the others don't" * "I appreciate your honesty and candour, you don't sound like a politician"... * "I've never heard such a clear explanation of this issue before. You really understand how things work!" * "I disagree with you on this, but you've heard me out, and I think I can convince you, so you've got my vote" * "I really appreciate that you took the time to give a properly thought-out reply." I have answered dozens of phone calls, emails and in-person queries. During the campaign I've become aware of specific issues and I'm in the process of researching them all to see what is possible. You see, I've researched and reported for companies, non profits and the odd public figure - if elected, I'll have the ability to put those skills to work for you. This election may come down to a few votes. If you're really uncertain and haven't voted yet, give me a call or write me an email or send me a PM via this page, and I'm happy to answer any questions. You can still drop your pack into 25 Cedric, or request a replacement pack from them in person, until 6pm.

23.01.2022 A fair few people have asked me who I am voting for, given I am not running this time due to full time study and work commitments (hence the relative lack of activity on this page). I'm voting for James Helliwell for City of Stirling - Hamersley Ward. His solid work ethic and his willingness to listen to and work with residents have impressed me, and I believe he would be a good councillor for Hamersley Ward if elected. As there's two votes, I gave my second vote to Pauline V...ukojevic who answered my emailed questions and whom several friends living in the ward vouch for. For other wards: * Felicity For Coastal (Felicity Farrelly) for Coast Ward * Steph Proud for Doubleview Ward * Joe Drago - Candidate for City of Stirling Lawley Ward * Lisa Thornton for Osborne Ward In nearby areas of Joondalup: * John Raftis for South West Ward - City of Joondalup (Sorrento, Hillarys, Padbury) * Suzanne Thompson for South Ward, City of Joondalup (Warwick, Duncraig, Marmion) * Teresa Ritchie for South East Ward (Greenwood and Kingsley) Honourable mention - an old friend of mine, Steven Ostaszewskyj for Central Ward, City of Bayswater who is running for the Morley area. Note that this is a personal recommendation. Some of these people's politics differ widely from mine, others agree strongly, but what they all have in common is the right motivations for running, an absence of vested interests at odds with residents, and the ability to actually do the job if elected.

22.01.2022 This page has been a little quiet, and I thought you should know the reason why, but didn't want to jinx it by trying to predict how I would do. I'm pretty happy with this.

22.01.2022 Shopping at IKEA on Saturday? Not voted yet? Don't worry, you can pop across the Freeway to the City of Stirling at 25 Cedric Street to drop off your postal voting pack, or request a replacement. Last chance - voting closes at 6pm. Vote 1 Andrew Owens, 6th box on the ballot.

22.01.2022 Been out of town for a few days, but the same sex marriage survey ended up being an affirmation that Australians are by and large friendly, open minded and fair people. People who have been denied for years have been shown that the majority of the population is with them - including 61.1% of the Stirling federal electorate. The campaign stirred up some acrimony, but we all know that the sun will still rise tomorrow, practically nothing will change for most people, and if we all work together we can do great things even if we disagree on this issue or that.

21.01.2022 For too long, East Hamersley residents have had to turn into Lennox Place with Erindale Road traffic banking up behind them. If elected, I will fight for a left-turn lane to be built at Lennox Place, and for the existing left-turn lanes on Erindale Road at Reid Highway and at Balcatta Road (opposite Bunnings) to be extended, to aid traffic flow and reduce congestion. I will also try to find out why the previous council has stalled on the State Government's $750,000 funding fo...r the Boya Way intersection. This badly needs action, and all council needs to do is supply a plan to Main Roads. Too many Hamersley Ward issues slip through the cracks - let's change that. Vote Andrew Owens for Hamersley Ward - 6th box on the ballot.

21.01.2022 Reading a story this morning about the Hillarys MP's new office not being accessible to disabled people and the fact the agency responsible actually approved it without checking got me thinking. In February last year, I broke my ankle, and for almost six months I got to see the world through a disabled person's eyes. You never think about these things until they happen to you, and then you see it everywhere. For a sizable number of members of our community, this is permanent... reality. It is amazing how little thought goes into design of some things, and the messages it can send. Many shopping centres have escalators in easy reach to get most people between levels, but the lift is hidden in a dark corner or right at the back, like some sort of shameful secret. Warwick Grove's underground carpark is inaccessible - the travelator's the only way up, and you can't get onto it with crutches or a wheelchair, so visitors to the centre must use an outdoor carpark which slopes up a hill. Even at some of our community facilities, the only way to get past a high kerb is to go 20m away, up the little ramp, and back 20m to where you started. And not to mention the extreme hazards of slippery surfaces in wet weather - the crutches run away from you. (Goes without saying that fixing some of this stuff doesn't just help disabled people, it helps everyone.) Two positive notes - the footpaths installed in Hamersley in part due to the hard work of outgoing Councillor Samantha Jenkinson made my life a lot easier during that period. And Transperth has done its best to make life easier. It will be a priority of mine if elected to ensure that disabled access is a factor in approvals and in upgrades to community facilities, that the footpath program continue, and that groups representing them are consulted and their views taken into account.

18.01.2022 I really enjoyed getting out to the Stirling Business Association / City of Stirling combined event about the Stirling Community Profile this evening hearing about some of the trends in our very diverse community. The Stirling Business Association does a great job in our community running a business incubator for fledgling businesses needing help to get going. Also heard about the Kaleidoscope Initiative. Why should migrants who are fully qualified professionals in their home country have to drive an Uber or clean toilets to survive when we need their skills here? Their level of entrepreneurship means they create jobs right here in our communities if we allow them to. This is a great initiative on the part of the City of Stirling and the Office of Multicultural Interests.

15.01.2022 Sunset over Balcatta a few nights ago.

15.01.2022 One big take from all the doorknocking I've been doing is that City of Stirling does not listen and does not communicate at the personal level. People feel they are not being listened to. When they want something done, it takes months or doesn't happen at all. The council does things that don't work (eg spraying dead weeds) and ignores the feedback. Contractors paid with your money take shortcuts and damage your roads and gardens. Speed bumps where they are hazards, and no speed bumps where they are needed. Speed increases on tiny roads up hills, and speed reductions on ample dual carriageways. I could go on and on, but this is just the summary. We need change. We need the council to work for us. Vote Andrew Owens for Hamersley Ward - 6th box on the ballot, post before Tuesday 17th or deliver to Stirling Council by Saturday 21st.

15.01.2022 A message from the Electoral Commission: https://elections.wa.gov.au/about-us/media/whats-new/1716 "Electors who have yet to vote in the Local Government elections may still do so, but now need to drop their ballot material into their local council office. [in our case, 25 Cedric Street, Stirling.]... Ballot material mailed now is unlikely to make it back on time to be counted on Saturday (21 October) but electors can drop their envelopes into their local council office during normal business hours, or throughout the day on Saturday. The deadline for receipt of votes is 6.00 p.m. Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake advised any electors that if they have mislaid their ballot material they can call into their council office to have fresh ballot papers issued on the spot. The important thing is to get out there and have your say in who will be governing your local community, Mr Kerslake said. Results will be posted on the Commissions website throughout Saturday evening."

15.01.2022 Running for Hamersley Ward is something I will never forget - I met so many great people from our area, have learned a lot about our ward and the issues people are having. I'm proud to have stood up for my community, though I was not successful on this occasion, and I am deeply grateful to voters who placed their trust in me by casting their vote for me. I will not forget the conversations we've had and the issues you raised with me, and I will do my best as a community acti...vist to ensure those stay on the City of Stirling's agenda, and that the "forgotten corners" of this ward have a voice. Watch this space :)

14.01.2022 Every year, Curtin University brings in over 10,000 people to this amazing event, most of which is volunteer-organised, and it's been going for over 13 years. It's fairly cheap to run, there's a lot of fun activities, affordable authentic food (stalls being provided by community groups, student groups and local cafes), even dancing and musical entertainment. Most other events of this type fail by charging the public too much, having the same stands as everyone else, or just b...eing too artificial - Pasar Malam works *because* of its lack of slickness, and the sense that volunteers are involved at every stage - even the marshals who direct crowds at busy stalls. There has been talk of how to bring tourists and people from other areas of Perth to the City of Stirling, and I think something like this in an appropriate part of the City would be a fantastic thing to have, even if it's just once a year like the Curtin event. Stirling pride!!

14.01.2022 We have an amazing natural environment in Hamersley Ward. Imagine if our decision makers could work with experts in the field to create an advisory service for those interested in helping Stirling's tree canopy goals in their own gardens, and created both a network for people to share info *and* a seed bank of endangered species. We could lead the way on sustainability and bring the community with us - not top down, but sideways and bottom up. I have many ideas but am also k...een to hear yours. It's time you were listened to rather than dictated to. Vote Andrew Owens for Hamersley Ward - 6th box on the ballot. #Hamersley #Carine #Gwelup #Karrinyup #Stirling

14.01.2022 Don't forget, in order to meet the postal deadline, you should post your ballot not later than Tuesday 17 October, so that it arrives on time. You can still vote after this time but would need to drive to the City of Stirling offices at 25 Cedric Street, Stirling, to make sure it is counted.

12.01.2022 Making friends with the avian residents of Hamersley Ward ... this little guy trotted alongside me for half a block while moving around Balcatta today.

11.01.2022 There's so many questions that need to be asked here. We're very lucky to have these natural areas at our doorstep and they need to be protected.

11.01.2022 Fun flashback - I've changed a bit since the 1980s - I think we all have! But one thing hasn't changed - I'm still a Hamersley boy. I have grown up here, still live here today, and am happy to speak with you about your issues, concerns, dreams and goals for the area.

10.01.2022 Really enjoyed the Friends of Lake Gwelup's guided walk with David Pike on Saturday. It's amazing how much you don't spot without trained eyes to guide yours, and we really are lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the world. My dad and I got to see rainbow bee eaters for the first time, as well as some very cute coot chicks on the lake itself.

10.01.2022 And... we're back. It's been a busy few months for me outside of the political scene, but I'm now hoping to get onto some peculiarly local issues that I talked with residents about last year. I am about to discover the wonderful world of FOIs on bureaucracy and formulating public questions at council meetings, but nothing on my list appears impossible, so here goes...

09.01.2022 The turnout so far reported by WAEC in this ward and in Osborne is very high by historical standards. I've been hearing loud and clear the message that residents are not happy with what they have and are demanding change. "Business as usual" is not good enough. People have realised that in order to change things they have to vote. I have stood up for the community I've called home since the age of 6 as a local independent ready to work for you, and to make real change. If I a...m elected on 21 October, you will have a ward councillor that wants our community to grow and will do my best to ensure all residents are listened to at the highest levels. * Our kids need opportunities to play safely even if they live in an estate everyone has forgotten about. * Those wanting to build a carport or a driveway, or getting development permission within existing zoning rules, should not have to put up with 3-4 month delays and stonewalling. * The council should be asked why recycling is so hard in Stirling compared to other cities. It should be as easy as possible for residents. * We should have more events and opportunities to bring the community together. * The council on behalf of residents should say "enough is enough" when governments give our residents substandard internet access and public transport. They won't fix it if we don't put them under pressure on it. * The environment is of paramount importance and creative solutions are needed to ensure it's protected from the encroachment of residential development and human uses. * Research is fine but junkets are not - unnecessary trips with questionable benefits for residents should be scrutinised, and reports from them should be made public. If you want to vote for change, drop your postal vote into the city's offices at 25 Cedric Street (near the Freeway) this week or any time before 6pm on Saturday.

06.01.2022 I'd like to wish you and your families and loved ones a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 2018. It's been an honour getting to meet and talk with many of you over the year, and there's plenty more to come.

05.01.2022 The tree canopy in our suburbs is shrinking - in some by an alarming rate. I encourage you to fill out the attached survey by the City of Stirling.

04.01.2022 I have been to many different parts of the ward as I've spoken to residents and delivered flyers, but I still don't know what they had in mind for this park. It does look very nice though!

04.01.2022 Very unfortunate. During my council campaign last year I was assured Karrinyup Library was not under any threat, but this latest development, plus the removal of tree cover and amenity in the immediate surrounding area, suggests otherwise.

03.01.2022 I don't share much from the campaign trail but a 7 year old boy in Carine giving me a catalogue of issues to work on in his street would have to be a highlight! Some were very observant and will definitely be looked into.

03.01.2022 Got this in the mailbox recently. Someone clearly got Breaking Bad and Hamersley mixed up - this suburb is one of the quietest there is, a common theme from my recent doorknocking. Can we get a local NBN action team though? That might actually do something productive.

03.01.2022 TRANSPARENCY I get asked a lot about this. Some council decisions and the way they have been implemented raise questions about "one rule for some". If you vote for me: * I work for you, and if you contact me, I will do the best that I can to ensure that your issues are dealt with promptly, professionally and courteously. I stood because I wanted this area to be better served, and this is central to that position.... * All of my statements, flyers etc are authorised by myself - this means that I take responsibility for what I say, and can't disown it later. I encourage you to compare this with other candidates' publications. * My campaign is being paid for by myself. Flyer and sign printing has been engaged on a purely commercial basis with WA firms, and I with my family and a few personal friends have walked them out. * My business has no investment in City of Stirling policies or approvals - my biggest client is an East Coast not-for-profit who aren't concerned where I am based. Therefore, I have no material conflicts of interest. * As I live in the ward, issues relating to my street and immediate area may cause an indirect conflict of interest to arise, but I pledge - as I have done in every other role I have held - to abide by the Council's conflict of interest policy and applicable laws and regulations should this arise. * I will conduct myself honestly, transparently and ethically in all of my dealings with the Council and members of the public, as I have done in other roles and have been commended for by many I've worked alongside. Authorised by A. Owens, 47 Dutton Crescent, Hamersley.

02.01.2022 The lack of consultation around this development has been very noticeable. Makes you wonder what is being hidden.

02.01.2022 PUBLIC TRANSPORT A few people have been emailing me about transport issues in the City of Stirling. Amongst other ideas, I support:... * Increased public transport in Hamersley, Carine, Balcatta and Gwelup, and in particular the restoration of deleted services since 2011. It's simply not acceptable that at nights and weekends, one must have a car to get to the train station because PTA thinks we're "low patronage". * Advertising existing and trial services to residents directly. PTA believe it is not their job to advertise transport options to residents. Flyering companies can letterbox public transport information to a suburb fairly cheaply, and there's no reason that the council cannot do this - this would cost less than the cost of a budget flight to Europe, and make a serious contribution to increasing our amenity and reducing our carbon footprint. * As long as the budget can support it, working with the PTA and State Government to obtain a few small vehicles for use on low-traffic routes, like we see in Vancouver, Canada, and also Logan City in Brisbane more recently. * Light rail on Scarborough Beach Road - I helped run a community forum at Karrinyup Sports Centre back in 2010 which canvassed this as an option and saw City of Stirling personnel sharing plans for this at the event. I'm keen to see what we can do. * See what we can do to establish bike hire and car sharing schemes within the city - these would be either low cost or would pay for themselves. And I have already worked with the PTA and others in the area to achieve replacement escalators for Warwick Station following long outages. Vote Andrew Owens for serious action on local transport. 6th box on the ballot paper.

01.01.2022 The Karrinyup library and community centre are vital local resources for this region, and nothing similar exists in the area. The library hosts an excellent audio-visual section, a vast fiction collection and local history materials, science (the section I probably use most) and even stuff for the kids to do. I've been a user of the facilities since 1992 and, if elected to council, I will use my vote to support the maintenance of the buildings and collections at Karrinyup Library, and to oppose any reduction in its status.

01.01.2022 It's time. In order to have your voice heard, if you haven't already, get your vote in the post before 6pm . This is because Australia Post is a lot slower than it used to be (they call it snail mail for a reason) and so you have to allow three business days. If you can't, then you have until Saturday 21 October at 6pm to get your vote to City of Stirling office at 25 Cedric Street, Stirling (near the Freeway / Stirling Station). If there's a problem and you ...need a replacement postal pack, contact the City of Stirling as soon as you can to get one. Vote Andrew Owens for Hamersley Ward - I will work for you.

01.01.2022 Enjoying the carols in Hamersley. Come along and join in!