As it happened: WA news on Monday, June 16

It’s been making noise on Queen Victoria Street since the 1970s, and any mention of its demise is met with widespread outcry from legions of tinnitus-afflicted music fans and dive bar devotees.

Now Papa-Adams, Malone and Benson have kicked off a GoFundMe campaign, outlining a vision for Mojos to become a music bar open regardless of whether a show is on, complete with its own in-house record store (slinging wax, of course).

“Live music venues everywhere are struggling. Rising costs, from rent and insurance to production and staffing, are threatening even the most beloved spots,” Papa-Adams wrote in the fundraiser.

“The delayed ramifications of the pandemic are seeing a pull on people’s purse strings, drinking alcohol less and consuming music in different ways.

“But the love for live music hasn’t gone anywhere. Artists still want to play here. People still want to gather.”

Along with a kitchen serving a family-style Greek-Cypriot menu, the team is planning a back bar to cater for guests who just want a quiet(ish) drink even if the band room is booked for a show, as well as a record store, which Papa-Adams said would be “North Fremantle’s first and only vinyl record store”.

The $16,000 donation target would also fund 16 new beer taps and an expanded wine and drinks menu; new furniture; ugraded sound, kughting and streaming equipment; a beer garden upgrade; and a return of cash transactions to the currently card-only venue.

“These aren’t just renovations. They’re an investment in community, creativity, and connection,” Papa-Adams wrote.

Work at the Spearwood site will continue into Monday night to reinstate the pipeline before crews turn their attention to the second damaged man on the road adjacent to Bruce Lee Reserve.

Watsonia Park, which was one of the open spaces inundated by waste from the Hamilton Road spill, is being remediated and grassed areas are being disinfected and dressed with topsoil.

“Remediation of Bruce Lee Reserve in Beaconsfield is also progressing, with crews yesterday beginning work to remove any residue on the grassed playing surface,” a Water Corporation statement said.

This will also include the removal and replacement of turf on the popular playing field.

Asked about his injury history, the coach added: “That plays a part in it, absolutely.

“So we won’t put him at any risk. We won’t rush him back to try and win this week if it’s going to put him at risk for a long-term injury.”

Longmuir says Pearce has been predominantly using the antigravity treadmill along with a bit of running on turf, but hasn’t done much work in terms of change or direction.

Walters, who is yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery, was set to make his long-awaited return via the WAFL on Saturday.

Those plans were scuppered when he pulled up sore from training, but Longmuir said Walters is a chance to play WAFL next Saturday.

“It’s not serious,” Longmuir said of the latest setback.

“Maybe it’s just the fact we’ve built him the last couple of weeks in the main training and he’s got a little bit of soreness.

“I haven’t got the full extent of what it is, but they tell me it’s not serious and we’re hoping it settles down reasonably quick.”

AAP

West Coast are optimistic the injury isn’t a worst-case scenario, but scans will determine the severity.

Defender Harry Edwards, who had hit career-best form recently, will also undergo scans after injuring his shoulder and hamstring.

Edwards’ importance to the side has skyrocketed on the back of Jeremy McGovern’s career-threatening concussion issues.

McGovern fronted an independent concussion panel last week, and he is set to find out in the coming days whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career or not.

Star forward Jake Waterman has already been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

And gun midfielder Elliot Yeo, who is still yet to play this season after a serious ankle injury over the summer, is still about a month away from resuming at any level.

AAP

Master Builders WA chief executive Matthew Pollock also welcomed the announcement, and said it would help more West Aussies achieve homeownership sooner.

“The new low deposit modular loan product is a fantastic initiative, as modular construction continues to become a more popular choice for many, especially in regional WA,” he said.

“Having additional progress payments made available will greatly assist builders in their cashflow, helping sustain and grow industry capacity.

“Keystart is unique in the home loan market.

“These changes … demonstrate the Cook government’s delivery on promises made to bolster housing supply and affordability and recognising the importance of the building and construction industry to the state economy.”