nedlands Council‍ Partially Wins Media Complaint Over Roundabout Report

⁢Updated June 27, 2025

The city of Nedlands received partial support from the ⁤Independant Media Council (IMC) ⁤regarding its complaint about news coverage in The West Australian, the state’s only metropolitan daily. The complaint, submitted to the IMC chaired by Peter Blaxell, a former‍ Supreme Court of Western Australia justice, concerned articles published in March by The West Australian and PerthNow, both under West australian Newspapers⁤ Holdings.

The articles focused on a council matter involving the construction of⁤ a roundabout at The Avenue and Birdwood Parade, a project funded by the federal government. The IMC decision noted that the city was granted a six-month extension due to staffing challenges.

The IMC’s determination partially upheld the council’s complaint against ⁤ The West Australian, but rejected the complaint against PerthNow.⁤ The IMC stated that PerthNow accurately reported the council’s information, noting the detailed design phase‍ commenced in September 2024, with construction⁢ scheduled for ⁣completion by the end of the financial year.

However, the IMC found that The ⁣West Australian inaccurately asserted the roundabout was to be installed before⁢ the end ⁤of 2024, a claim⁤ unsupported by available materials.The IMC stated ⁢this initial planned completion date was ⁣six months later than reported, occurring significantly after a tragic crash. the ⁤IMC concluded that The West Australian breached its code by failing to ensure the reported facts were⁢ honest,accurate,balanced,and fair.

the news articles followed a Febuary crash where a Perth obstetrician collided with another⁣ car,⁢ resulting in a passenger’s death and serious injuries ⁣to an Uber driver.

The council’s complaint alleged breaches of the IMC’s code of conduct, citing inaccuracies, failure‍ to disclose relevant facts,‍ and unfounded inferences. The⁤ council argued the ‍report’s timing and sensationalism lacked empathy for the grieving family and⁢ inferred a direct connection⁣ between ⁤the roundabout ⁢construction delay and the accident.

The⁣ IMC decision noted the council’s concern that the ⁣headlines and their juxtaposition with images of the crash and victim’s coffin‍ might ⁣prejudice the police examination.⁤ The West Australian’s reporting included a front-page pointer with the headline “ROUNDABOUT DELAY Dalkeith death crash bombshell” and a page ‍7 article titled “DALKEITH BOMBSHELL Council delayed building traffic-calming ‍roundabout.”

In contrast, PerthNow’s front-page pointer read “Road safety money unused,” with the story headlined ⁤”Roundabout near crash site stalled by⁤ ‘staffing issues’.”

The IMC acknowledged that The West Australian’s headlines, especially the word “Bombshell,” implied the council’s delay⁤ might have contributed to the February 15 tragedy. The IMC stated raising this possibility was⁣ reasonable, as earlier construction ⁤could have prevented the speeding jaguar. However, the IMC⁢ concluded the reported facts did not⁣ support any conclusive inference.

Jim McGinty⁢ and Cheryl Edwardes, former WA politicians, serve on the IMC alongside Blaxell.