Pass on tip pass system

Dear Echo News,

The recent article in the Echo regarding FOGO or not to go has reassured me that I am not the only person who has issue with the outdated one size fits all waste service that is forced upon us by local government.

I have issue with the City of Swan tip pass system.

Each year the city sends me a number of passes to use throughout the year.

The problem is I don’t need them and have never used them.

No, that’s not quite true , I did use one back in 1999.

Because they are not free I have taken to returning them to the City of Swan and asked for a refund on my rates.

The reply was an emphatic no and if I had issue with the process I should take it up with the Ombudsman. So, I contacted the Ombudsman who sided with the shire.

This did not surprise me as how can they be impartial when its one government department investigating another government department.

I am quite a simple guy and I believe you should get what you pay for, and this is not happening.

If the City of Swan carried out an audit to compare how many tip passes are actually used by residents I think they would be surprised.

This must be a cash cow for them.

I think a fairer system would be to charge at the tip gate or record each visit and add it to the rates.

So, I will continue to return my unused tip passes and urge people to do the same.

Also, if you are not happy accepting a FOGO bin that you will never use you should return it to the shire depot.

Let your action do the talking.    

S Turner

Gidgegannup

Barberry Square a disgrace

Dear Echo News,

I arranged to meet a friend at Barberry Square and was horrified about the state of the car park.

I was told that it has been in this disgraceful state for many years.

Thank goodness I was driving a four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle but was almost tempted to go and book a wheel alignment, and that my seatbelt was securely keeping me safe!

All jokes aside, is that a problem that the City of Kalamunda should be addressing?

I Sanderson

Kalamunda