Perth planning laws overhauled to unlock backyards

Worker rams car into laundromat after accidental fire

A laundromat worker in Clarkson, Perth, accidentally started a fire while attempting to remove a tag from clothing just before midnight. After rushing out and finding herself locked out, she repeatedly rammed her Commodore into the shop front to re-enter and extinguish the burning clothes. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Facial recognition arrests; Thailand murder claims; aged care overhaul

Perth police have arrested 20 wanted people in one week using Australia's first facial recognition cameras, which scan passersby against police databases. The technology, currently being trialled in Perth CBD, Midland and Mirrabooka, has scanned over 130,000 faces with only two false alerts, also detecting 21 registered sex offenders. The five-month trial has prompted immediate results, with arrests occurring even during the commissioner's media conference announcing the technology. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Perth planning laws overhauled to unlock backyards

Western Australia is implementing its largest overhaul of residential planning laws in nearly 30 years, reducing the minimum block size for subdivision from 900 to 700 square metres under R20 zoning. The changes could unlock 50,000 new development sites across Perth, allowing homeowners with larger blocks to subdivide and build additional dwellings. The reforms also propose reducing mandatory car bay requirements in new apartment blocks, which currently add approximately $137,000 to apartment costs. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Facial recognition cameras catch 20 wanted criminals in one week

Western Australia Police have deployed Australia's first facial recognition cameras in a five-month trial across Perth suburbs including Mirabooka, Midland and the city. In the first week of operation, the cameras scanned over 130,000 faces and led to at least 20 arrests of wanted individuals, with only two false alerts. The technology screens passersby against police databases for wanted persons and registered sex offenders, with all other facial data immediately deleted. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Government adds human review to aged care assessments

The government's been forced to change how it determines the level of aged care older Australians receive. They're adding more human screening as a new challenger to Anthony Albanese emerges armed with a racquet. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.