Bridge removal a concern
Dear Echo News,

The Shire of Mundaring, in its wisdom, have removed an old wooden bridge over Nyannia Creek, Burkinshaw Road, Glen Forrest and have replaced it with a surrounding fence.

This detracts from the straightness of the footpath and the intention is to divert the path around the open section of the creek.

There is some concern that the diversion will create and cause potential conflict with the hump section of the fence adjacent to the road and again the potential of an incident with traffic and pedestrians, particularly school children that use that path to and from Glen Forrest Primary School.

As it is a bus route the potential is even greater for conflict.

The ‘wise’ at the Shire of Mundaring have come up with this diversion without due consultation with the community.

Their comment was “we don’t have to consult on infrastructure matters’’.

As this affects many that use the path including cyclists, skateboarders and scooter riders the bridge should have been replaced to its rightful place thus to overcome the potential of an unfortunate situation.

The cost of the project is $25,000.

It was suggested to the Shire of Mundaring that a pre-stressed concrete structure be the solution but there seems to be some aversion to bridges within the shire’s hierarchy instead of replacing ‘like’ for ‘like’ and lack of OHS safety issues that effect the ratepayers and residents.

E Smith
Glen Forrest

Declared weeds out of control
Dear Echo News,

It was pleasing to see mentions of weed control in Mundaring adopts ten-year future plan (Echo News, August 16).

The invasion of non-local plants destroying the bush is surely an elephant in the room.

But why was there a lovely photograph of a terrible weed on page 64 of the ten-year plan?

Moraea flaccida, one of several declared weeds out of control in the Perth Hills, is on the march in verges and paddocks in many areas of the shire.

It may be pretty but it’s lethal to grazing animals and will render a paddock unusable.

There is an urgent need for more education on invasive species and what local residents can do about them.

The next privately-funded public information and music event is on from 2pm Sunday, August 25 at 120 Stoneville Road, Mundaring.

M Jones
Hovea

Odds on for gambling advertising
Dear Echo News,

Our federal Parliament this week lost control of the agenda item that 80 per cent of Australians wanted dealt with once and for all – a ban on gambling advertising.

Thanks to the distraction afforded by the coalition’s attack on those fleeing Gaza and seeking visas for visitor status, the gambling issue was forgotten and ceased to exist as an issue. Job done!

I’m sure both Channel 9 and Channel 7 advertising sales reps as well as all those addictive gambling sites will be delighted with this result, despite the 80 per cent of Australians effectively losing their voice in Parliament.

The coalition has shown it’s cynical and Labor has proved itself unable to control business in the House.

No wonder Australians don’t trust their elected officials.

P Carman
Hovea