Council question marks?
Dear Echo News,
Following the November City of Kalamunda ordinary meeting, concerns exist about the behaviour and comments of some councillors.
During a deputation from a resident regarding tree protections during construction, instances were observed of councillors sighing, whispering comments and shooting sideways looks.
Following this, on a different matter, the mayor herself later questioned and re-raised the legitimacy of a resident’s question from public question time - long after the resident had left the meeting.
This felt like a ‘lunchroom’ comment and something that should not have been publicly aired, especially given the resident had no right of reply.
When individuals spend their own time and effort researching and preparing questions and deputations for council they do so in a voluntary capacity driven by personal frustrations and shortfalls they see.
It is not felt their motives should be publicly questioned.
On another matter, in justifying the sale of two blocks at Andrews Street reserve, the mayor commented that the funds were needed to avoid future rate increases to cover capital works, and also that the sale was justified to address the housing crisis.
This feels flimsy justification at best.
Releasing a mere two residential lots is not likely to move the dial on housing availability, and it feels well premature to assert that the proceeds from the sale will protect against future rate increases.
The numbers of attendees and overall atmosphere in the council chamber was one of frustration and tension and it’s felt is a direct result of many residents not feeling adequately consulted with or heard by the city.
H Lill
Kalamunda
--------------------------------------------------------------------Is radiation killing our magpies?
Dear Echo News,
I notice a recent article Unsolved bird paralysis disease escalates in Perth’s east metro in your news regarding the paralysis syndrome effecting magpies and several other species, and now it seems, doves.
To date all the investigation has been done with toxins, pathogens and disease in mind.
Nothing has been found.
If the cause was related to any of those, then it would have been found by now.
This syndrome has been appearing off and on in the eastern states for around twenty years and they have done the same investigation with the same causes in mind. They also, haven’t found anything.
The taboo subject here seems to be electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
No one has done any investigation with this in mind as the possible cause. Why not?
There is extensive scientific research and opinion that indicates that insect deaths, including bees, are more than likely linked to EMR.
The general opinion based on research is that EMR is a serious risk to all forms of life, particularly birds and insects.
Governments through-
out the world, including ours, have been warned of the potential harm that EMR may cause to all animal life, including us.
So far it seems that, it has not been taken seriously.
It may well be that EMR is not responsible for this syndrome, but the likelihood is very strong and there is enough research to justify an investigation if only to eliminate it as the cause.
R Woolley
Bellevue
--------------------------------------------------------------------Not against high rise housing
Dear Echo News,
I’m not sure quite how R Wood reached the conclusion that I’m against high rise housing – I’m not, as long as steps are taken not to allow them to look like or become ghettos.
Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, allowing too many too close, creates a rather hapless environment. This sadly appears to be the case around Wallsend Road.
I think apartments close to transport systems are an excellent idea.
There’s no reason why apartments couldn’t be built over rail lines at Midland, indeed it’s what I would have done with Midland – built the carpark next to the station over the lines, then two or three apartments to the east, again, over the line.
I can’t work out what is being created next to the station main exit on Yelverton Road – it does look like it may be a drop off/pick up area, which would make sense, as I feel a lot people will opt to be picked up from that exit rather than the one way only exit (west) from the new carpark.
As for design, I like the look of both the new station and the carpark, I just can’t see the reason for the vast gap between them.
G Ross
Swan View
--------------------------------------------------------------------Call to lower speed limit
Dear Echo News,
What other explanation for the stubbornness of the Minister for Transport and our hopeless shire who refuse to support lowering the speed limits to 60km/h at Scott Street and Great Eastern Highway.
Yet another major three car accident this week, this time involving a young mother and infant in a car seat; one ambulance, three police cars, a fire truck and tow trucks.
Yes, we need a major realignment but at what cost and how long will it take?
How many accidents? How many deaths or injuries will it take?
The Main Roads website says lowering the speed by 10km halves the risk of serious accident.
Will just one member of the Main Roads come out to Greenmount and drive the highway with us to see the utter stupidity of the current speed limits and where they are imposed?
In the meantime, lower speeds to 60km/h down the hill from before Old York Road and to 70km/h before Bilgoman Road.
Dr C Hughes
Greenmount
