CoS_TeamBrief_August_2023

City news

Making magic happen The City has been working together with Main RoadsWA to improve pedestrian safety at the signalised crossing at the corner of Hale Road andWeaponess Road. The works installed audible pushed right out they will see it lets go, go, go!

"One of the big ones is our workforce plan," she said. "Our employees are the key to making this organisation successful. "We want to have the right people in place to deliver our future strategic objectives. "It's about looking at the full employee life cycle, from how we attract people, onboard them into the organisation, support and develop them and make sure they enjoy working here so we retain them." Director Community Development Michael Quirk said both Council and the community has identified community safety as a key priority. "We have already made improvements in the way our Community Safety team works through a recent Service Review," he said. "New initiatives such as the roll-out of additional Community Patrol vehicles, establishing an Operational CCTV Monitoring Room and undertaking a Crowded Place Assessment for the Scarborough Beach Precinct will all contribute towards a safer City. "Improving our collaboration with WA Police through a formal Memorandum of Understanding will provide them with direct access to our CCTV footage. This means the Police have access to live data, and if there is an issue, they can get a team out straight away." The extensive budget process is guided by a visionary plan for the City of Stirling. As the plan unfolds, the dedicated efforts of the entire team will shape a promising future, delivering essential projects and initiatives for the benefit of the community. For more information, visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/ budget-news-2023

push buttons and realigned the pedestrian crossings to deliver a positive access and inclusion outcome. This intersection is particularly important for local resident Tom Quinn who is a person with vision impairment. Tom has shared his story: "Imagine for a moment that it is near on dark, the sun is setting in the west, and a strong breeze is in from the southwest. Its peak hour, and everybody is in a hurry to get home (including me); I step off public transport and wait for the noisy bus to move away; I move to the verge feeling the crisp grass beneath my shoes; flick out my white cane to feel the edge of the road kerb, shore-line west toward the breeze and the sun for 50 paces until I locate the concrete lid of the stormwater soak. Great, I found my crossing spot; now let the nightmare begin. I close my eyes and concentrate with my ears – swoosh, swish, swoosh – the traffic flies by. Come on mate, you can do it 'crack hardy mate!' Swoosh, swish, swoosh – wait, wait, wait, be careful, be careful, wait, wait. Five minutes pass, surely a break in the traffic is coming soon.Yes, silence at last, heart beating now white cane extended let’s do it go, go! Oh no, there's another one coming; get back on your concrete launch pad. Now they all come again like a herd of buffalo. Swoosh, swish, swoosh – another five minutes pass, silence again, great, let's go! Heart thumping again louder (Oh no, what if there is a cyclist or an electric car), cane

Fantastic, great relief I have made it halfway! Another two lanes to go! Now I'm standing on the refuge section in the middle of Hale Road. I now swap my white cane to my left hand so motorists can know that I can't see. I repeat the above nightmare, and I am finally across. "Wow, wow!" I exclaim; now that's what I call "...taking a walk on the wild side..." There is no safety here, just 100 per cent pure risk. If only I could push a magic button and make the cars stop; no more nightmare!... Well, my magic button is here! Yes, it's happened. Pedestrian audible lights have been installed on the corner of Weaponess and Hale roads, Wembley Downs. A very big thanks to Michael and John at Main Roads, Russel at the City of Stirling, Clare at Visibility, and Erica and Zel at Blind Citizens WA for helping me make this happen. What a difference this will make in my life, knowing full well after 20 years of living the above nightmare that I am so lucky to still have my life. I wish to thank them, and all concerned for '...helping the blind man to cross the road...' Thank you all very much. (And you, the drivers, for not running me down; game over!)." Do you have a story about working together to create local impact? We would love to share it! Send it via email to internal.communications@ stirling.wa.gov.au

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