‘Evidence’ must be tested
Dear Echo News,

Before we go down the US/Trump route of claiming something to be a ‘fact’ before evidence has been tested, let’s take a good, hard look at the alleged actions of the CFMEU and if or when they are proved to be accurate – but not before – then action could be taken.

To assume the allegations are true, before testing them, would be a total travesty.

Corporation rorts, businesses trading when insolvent, or committing outright frauds and/or tax evasion crimes are prevalent but rarely acted upon until fully tested in courts.

Even then, too often it’s only after the miscreants have shifted their assets away from reach of prosecutors. Our media doesn’t get into a frenzy over that, but is now doing so over a union.

Why don’t we see a media blitz on Australia’s corporate thugs, cheats and thieves?

Is it because the media owners might also be tarred by the same brush?

P Carman
Hovea

Dead trees on the Avon
Dear Echo News,

As a frequent visitor I was shocked to find so many dead trees lining the Avon River at our tourism icon Bells Rapids picnic area - victim to summer’s record heatwaves and drought.

This sad and stark reminder of just how quickly the climate is changing has turned this beautiful spot popular with day trippers into a tree graveyard.

Indeed, all over the surrounding scarp and Perth Hills, in local parks, reserves and verges you see dead shrubs and trees when it should be green this time of year.

When will local and state government take the urgent climate action needed to prevent more ecological collapse?

Fire seasons are likely to be beyond catastrophic with so much dead wood.

T Maxted
Woodvale

No to cement wall barrier
Dear Echo News,

Not everyone in Swan View wants a cement wall barrier on Blackadder Road.

There are several reasons for not having a cement barrier on Blackadder Road.

There is a significant environmental impact with the manufacture of cement due to the high energy use and the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that is a major greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming and climate change.

Cement absorbs heat in summer which increases temperatures as it releases heat back to the environment when cooler.

For months the residents of Swan View have been subjected to unsightly graffiti and if a wall is built this side graffiti will also be a fixture which will involve constant repainting and use of shire rates.

A vegetation barrier will decrease noise and improve the environment along Blackadder Road.

It will reduce and deflect noise while providing a habitat for wildlife such as small birds and insects therefore improving biodiversity.

It would also provide a wildlife corridor along the railway for native wildlife including small marsupials such as bandicoots.

Plants also provide a cooling effect, absorb carbon dioxide, store carbon and improve the environment for walkers along the road.

P Nielsen
Swan View 

Roundabout needed like a hole in the head
Dear Echo News,

For the benefit of R. Wood (Echo News, July 12) I would like to point out that I wholeheartedly agree with him that Railway Road and Elizabeth Street top end needs a roundabout like a hole in the head.

However, if he re-reads my letter to the Echo News, July 5, he will find out that I said: “ The City of Kalamunda was dithering about whether to construct a roundabout here or simply close a section of Elizabeth Street.”

Accordingly, perhaps he should have addressed his comments to the City of Kalamunda rather than to me.

C Coulthard
Gooseberry Hill

Smith Family Winter Appeal
Dear Echo News,

I would like to offer a sincere thank you to readers who gave to The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal.

In recent times, charities have been significantly impacted by the rise in the cost of living, affecting the number of donors able to give, while increasing the number of those needing support.

The Smith Family has certainly been no exception to that trend. In terms of donations, we were facing a 40 per cent shortfall with just a few weeks remaining during our Winter Appeal.

But thankfully, we were very fortunate to receive some generous support from the public and our fundraising target was reached.

Donations from supporters will make a world of difference to 17,200 students experiencing disadvantage.

Each will be able to receive the extra help they need during the final terms of school this year.

Our ability to deliver our flagship education support program Learning for Life, that assists almost 63,000 young Australians nationwide, depends on your donations.

And they really do make a difference. Just this week we received an email from a student to the people who had sponsored her through Learning for Life.

She had had just graduated with a Bachelor of Science and was writing to thank them.

“Please accept my sincere gratitude for your belief in my potential and for your unwavering support throughout my educational journey and believing in us students that need the extra support,” she wrote.

“Your generosity has inspired me to strive for excellence and to give back to others in the community.”

Doug Taylor
CEO The Smith Family