Swan school parking fines are unfair
Dear Echo News,

I would like to know why parking fines issued by the City of Swan are so high around Woodbridge Primary School.

In August 2023 the council enforced a fine around Woodbridge Primary School at a cost of $45, now the fines are $180.

Why are  the fines more than other schools, streets and local businesses which are far less or they are not fined?

The fine infringement was also on a very wet day, I feel the council just wants easy money and are exploiting their  position of power.

The large sum amount in penalty is not an accurate reflection of any loss suffered so I feel it is not a reasonable charge.

Why can’t the parents be exempt during the school hours zones from 7.30am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm?

H Colja
Woodbridge

Impact on vegetation questioned
Dear Echo News,

Impact on ‘remnant vegetation’ questioned raises awareness about MRS Amendment 1421, which proposes urbanising land that two lines of our family sold to be part of Whiteman Park.

The consultation period has now been extended to August 30.

The subject land is between Drumpellier Drive and Isoodon Street, currently zoned parks and recreation.

Many readers will remember the late Lew Whiteman, who signed to sell his Mussel Pool farm on June 26, 1975, and the following day the WA Government Gazette announced that land in that precinct was to be rezoned from rural to parks and recreation.

The timing suggests Lew would have felt assured his land would be used as parkland for posterity.

He had also just announced his intention to give his vast and eclectic antiques collection in its entirety to the people of Western Australia.

A document obtained through FOI in 2007 states he was aware he could have obtained more for his land on the open market, but accepted a lower offer because he wanted the government to build a museum to house his collection.

In the years between 1975 and his death in 1994, no agreement was reached.

A small but important part of his collection now forms part of Revolutions transport and heritage museum at Whiteman Park.

The vast remainder, estimated in 1975 to be worth $2 million to $2.5m, was auctioned and the proceeds donated to charity.

Adjoining land owned by Lew’s cousins, the Day family, my direct line, could never be sold on the open market after it was rezoned in 1975.

The softener for us, when selling became inevitable, was that we believed it was to remain part of Whiteman Park, because parks and recreation was the zoning.

There could only be one buyer.

Now the state and a developer look set to profit.

We saw the writing on the wall when Metronet maps appeared, showing land between the rail line and the park perimeter coloured white when it was still green on metropolitan region scheme maps, consistent with its parks and recreation zoning.

‘Dumbing down’ the public had begun, we maintain.

What next? Nearby Arthur Street – the road with the $7.5m bridge over Reid Highway, terminates at Harrow Street, just across the road from Bush Forever Site 200.

Will Bush Forever Site 200 be next?

Have your say, by Friday, August 30 at https://haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/mr s1421standard

C Rogers
West Swan