High-tech drinking fountain trial in Perth

TRIAL: Perth will trial a hi-tech water fountain that charges for both still and sparkling water. Source: PerthNow

IN an Australian first, a water fountain which charges citizens via a smart card and can dish out both still and sparkling refreshment is to be trialled in Perth.

The upmarket ProAcqua drinking fountain, which is already popular in Europe, has been approved for a three-month trial in the Perth CBD.

The high-tech water fountain also features LED technology to show adverts, and can be solar powered to reduce the power needed to chill the water contained.

Perth mayor Lisa Scaffidi said there were many advantages to the drinking fountain, and the council hoped it would reduce the amount of water bottles consumed and discarded in Perth.

``It is going eliminate bottles and it is reliant on smart card technology,'' said Perth mayor Lisa Scaffidi.

``The price per litre is very low and over time ... it can become a small revenue stream.''

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Pair deny wild party charges, face trial

It's alleged that party-goers threw bricks at police who came to disperse the crowd. PICTURE: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

THE first two people in Western Australia to be charged with organising an out-of-control party have pleaded not guilty and will go to trial.

Jonathan James French and Travis Thomas Glennie Robinson, both 22, allegedly organised a party in December last year that got out of control, with more than 40 people throwing bricks at police who arrived to disperse the crowd.

The men could face a year in prison and a $12,000 fine if convicted under recently introduced laws.

Their lawyer entered a plea of not guilty for both men in the Joondalup Magistrates Court today and a trial date will be set in April.

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Murder trial set over woman's death

MURDER TRIAL: A man has been committed for trial over the death of his former partner, a 60-year-old Bullsbrook woman.   Source: PerthNow

A BULLSBROOK man charged with the murder of his former partner will go on trial in March.

Mark Charles Hill, 54, is accused of killing Roma Pollit in her Bullsbrook home in August last year.

It was revealed after Mr Hill was charged that Ms Pollit had taken out a Violence Restraining Order against her former partner, but the order had expired about a week before her death.

Mr Hill appeared today in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court via video link from Casuarina Prison, where a trial date was set for March 25.

If the trial does not go ahead on that day, he will reappear in Stirling Gardens on July 24.

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