Pain for ACROD holders
Dear Echo News,
Last week I parked in the new Midland train parking station.

Whilst there is ample parking for the holders of ACROD permits, it becomes a very long and arduous journey to the train station.

This can cause ACROD holders much pain and suffering.

Why has TransPerth made it so difficult for people who already have difficulties?

There seems to be no plans to make the train more accessible to people who have an ACROD permit.
At the moment it is unfair and unkind, and I find it a very disappointing place.

Also, the new parking station lacks clear exit signs.

What a mess.

Disappointed
Chidlow resident

Save The Vines plea
Dear Echo News,
The Western Australia Planning Commission are now preparing to make their decision for or against the proposed amendment of The Vines structure plan.

The amendment opens the door to housing development replacing the green open space of the golf courses.

As community opposition, including the support from City of Swan Council, remains far reaching and united, the VRRA offer these points that motivate our campaign against the amendment:

• The Vines Country Club, established with state support (over $100 million in today’s money) and having currently both public and private courses, is a valued regional and community asset.

• It is an important drawcard for tourism with consequent value to surrounding Swan Valley businesses.

• Since 2005 The Vines (WA) Pty Ltd have profited from land sales adjacent to the golf course. With little left, they are now seeking a structure plan amendment to enable housing infill of the green open spaces.

• The structure plan amendment does not refer to the north-east corridor developments and selectively misrepresents state and local government strategies and plans. Infill of The Vines is not in these.

• The planned population growth within 10 to 15 minutes of The Vines is another 100,000 people in the next 10 years – we need more open spaces and sporting facilities, not less.

• The community would welcome good maintenance and improving of recreational facilities. We are opposed to a driving range structure (Titanic size) positioned in the middle of the Lakes course, particularly when the existing driving range could readily accommodate a larger driving range structure and retain the practice areas.

• Breaking up the Lakes course for the proposed driving range and short course can be avoided. The short course can fit within the 18-hole Lakes course and retain the competitive flexibility of the amenity.

Development should not be at the expense of the local community.

The Vines Residents and Rate Payers Association (VRRA)

Working from home
Dear Echo News,
Peter Dutton’s charge to have public servants return to working in “the office” could have serious consequences for these workers.

Those who work at home have had the opportunity to create a safe workspace tailored to their own needs, especially in regards to ergonomics in areas such as furniture, computers, ergonomic keyboards and ergonomically efficient software.

Returning to the office will be entering a space where safety and efficiency concerns are secondary to financial efficiencies in his call for “small government”.

Mr Dutton should also ensure that those workers who do return to the office are not subject to workplace hazards such as RSI from using inefficient hardware and software, or are recompensed should they choose to bring their own devices into the office.

KG Blake
Lesmurdie

Bin sizes questioned
Dear Echo News, 

I recently read the article in the Echo regarding the Shire of Mundaring waste service dictatorship and felt compelled to comment.

I have had an issue with the City of Swan regarding my waste service.

I have been trying to cancel the service since 2016 as the property is not my primary address and I have no waste.
They have not collected a single piece of rubbish since 2016.

In my frustration I wrote to the Department of Local Government who advised me that there is not a standard waste service and each council can set their own policies.

Why am I not surprised the waste service is so fragmented and not standard across the state?

When the service was rolled out to me, we were given the large waste bin to cater for the Christmas period, go figure.

I have an issue with the fact that you cannot select the bin size to reflect your needs.

Why should a single pensioner have the same size bin as a large family and pay the same waste levy?

Looks like gouging to me when the shire says you can have more bins at an extra cost, why can’t large families just have a bigger bin.

It seems like the shire has a one size suits all policy.

Call me selfish, but why should I subsidise another household?

S Turner
Gidgegannup