Caversham traffic mismanaged
Dear Echo News,

I have had the pleasure of calling Caversham my home for 24 long years.

This is a peaceful and harmonious neighbourhood that unfortunately, struggles with severe traffic mismanagement and congestion due to the extension of Drumpellier Drive to Daviot Road to Benara Road exit to Lord Street and heavy traffic use from Ellenbrook with majority of traffic exiting via Caversham on Daviot Road.

A recent proposal submitted to the City of Swan, aims to establish a place of worship on 5 Bennett Street, Caversham.
As a long-standing resident and community member, I am deeply concerned about the potential increase in larger volumes of traffic the establishment of this place of worship will precipitate.

Existing congestion already compromises the safety of our community by obstructing exit routes from our neighbourhood to Benara Road.

The transportation and infrastructure section of the 2020 City of Swan community survey reported significant resident discontent over traffic loads, with 67 per cent of surveyed residents stating traffic congestion as their primary community concern.

The specific proposal to establish a place of worship on 5 Bennett Street is poised to exacerbate this issue, situating it as a public safety concern, not excluding noise from said events and roadside parking buildups and double parking on the main thoroughfare to Caversham (Bennett Street).

Access for emergency vehicles and the likes will be compromised in the event of an incident in Caversham quite similar to the fire evacuation in 2009.

Therefore, I urge our local government to reconsider this development proposal, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of Caversham residents and the existing flora and fauna for the protection of the Bennett Brook and its ecosystem directly adjacent to the proposed construction the run off will jeopardise the nature area for many species.

I seek your support to keep our community uncomplicated by further unnecessary traffic complications and safety for all residents.

Please join me and countless other concerned locals by signing this petition at https://chng.it/bcfQFD2qYr

Together, we can make a difference in our beloved community.

J Bell
Caversham

Difficult times for disabled
Dear Echo News,

It’s been a difficult month for our disability community as we grapple with the devastating formal responses from governments to the Disability Royal Commission and the passage of the NDIS Amendment Bill.

I’m disappointed, but I also have hope in the future drawn from the community coming together in supporting one another and fighting for our rights to be upheld and changes that are led by us.

We may not win every fight, but we will never stop.

This month the government also released their draft lists on what supports can and cannot be funded by the NDIS.

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) remains deeply concerned about these proposed changes and what they will mean for our lives.

We will continue to fight to restore the NDIS to what it should be - a scheme that supports our needs and has the access and flexibility that our members rely on.

Thank you for your trust.

Let’s continue to support one another through these challenging times.

Finally, this month we enjoyed the Paralympics on our screens.

As a retired Paralympic medal winning swimmer, I’m excited - not jealous - by the performances of our athletes and the way this is being supported by the community and covered by media around the world.

To see broadcasters with disabled athletes covering events, television advertisements featuring Olympians and Olympians side-by-side and even walking into my local supermarket and seeing life-size cut outs of teammates has brought a huge smile to my face and is a reminder that future generations will be able to be what they can see.

And that includes generations without disabilities who will see amazing athletic achievement and won’t blink an eye at the reporter with a limb difference or using a wheelchair.

While the world isn’t perfect once every four years, for 10 days we see a demonstration of as close as humanity has got to an inclusive world for people with disabilities.

And a reminder none of our athletes want to be inspiring because they were having a go at the end of the games.

They’re just like all the rest of us disabled Australians navigating the same systems.

M Jonkers
President
People with Disability Aust