Hospital free parking is a privilege

Dear Echo News,

In recent weeks the hospital parking at Midland for visitors has been spasmodic.

Clients unable to pay at the pay machine and the machine not accepting credit cards or cash.

It is with great pleasure that one is and has been able to basically visit freely those of our family members that are in hospital.

Even though the costs of parking seem to be reasonable, it is wonderful that one can visit and park free and those responsible should be thanked for this privilege when visiting the hospital.

I am wondering if the cost of maintaining the equipment for parking is worth the cost of the income as against the ‘free’ parking aspects.

There are delays at the pay machines and at the exit gate when the equipment is not working.

I sincerely thank the responsible area for the privilege of being able to visit a patient in the SJOG Midland hospital.

Visitor parking should be free of charge so that many visitors do not have to park at the shopping centre across from the hospital much to the concern of the businesses.

Thank you once again for that privilege of the free parking.

Satisfied Visitor

Glen Forrest

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Animal transport concerns

Dear Echo News,

I am writing to express my strong support for A Campbell’s letter (Echo News, March 28) regarding ending the live transport of animals, a practice that raises serious ethical, environmental, and public health concerns.

Western Australia has the infrastructure, expertise, and global reputation to lead in high-quality meat production.

Too many local meat processing plants have closed and by investing in local abattoirs and supply chains, we can strengthen regional economies, create jobs in rural communities, plus ensure better animal welfare standards, something increasingly important to both domestic and international consumers.

Scientific research and investigative reports have repeatedly documented the conditions of animal transport, which are completely avoidable.

By processing livestock locally and exporting chilled or frozen meat, we maintain quality control, strengthen regional economies, and eliminate the need for long-distance animal transport by sea.

Crucially, this shift does not leave our trucking industry behind.

On the contrary, truck drivers will continue to play an essential role in transporting animals to local abattoirs and moving chilled meat to ports and markets.

In fact, with expanded processing facilities in regional areas, local transport demand may increase, offering more stable, year-round work for drivers without the ethical baggage of supporting the live export trade.

P Nielsen

Swan View