Ray Owen seating an issue

Dear Echo News,

I recently went to the Ray Owen facility in Lesmurdie to watch my grandkids play basketball.

It was my first visit this year, and I was astounded by what has happened to the seating.

Half of the benches at either end of the first four courts have been removed and replaced with about four rows of plastic chairs.

Seating is probably sufficient for the weekly games, but I was wondering what will happen, and where will all the spectators sit when it is finals time?

Someone mentioned that the benches were removed because they were considered to be too dangerous!

I’ve been attending as far back as the 90’s when my own sons were playing, and in all that time, I don’t think I have ever heard of a serious accident having happened.

Nor have I heard of any serious injuries.  I think having removed the benches, which catered to a huge number of spectators, has totally ruined the otherwise fantastic facility in the Perth Hills.

I Sanderson

Kalamunda

Bullwinkel Election signage

Dear Echo News,

As soon as the federal election date is announced, expect Bullwinkel to be inundated with political signage.

It is timely to remind all candidates and councils that it is an offence to post or maintain any portable sign on a carriageway where the speed limit exceeds 70kph, in particular Welshpool Road East, Roe Highway, Great Eastern Highway and Toodyay Road.

It is also an offence to place or maintain any portable sign within one metre of a carriageway.

It will be interesting to see how many candidates blatantly flout these regulations and if so, will councils do anything about it.

D Keirnan    

Lesmurdie

Keep the Sheep concerns

Dear Echo News,

As a local resident, I recently read your article Keep the Sheep blitzes Bullwinkel (Echo News, February 21).

I would like to remind your readers that RSPCA research shows that 78 per cent of Australians want this industry to end, with a just transition for farmers and the regions, including 71 per cent of Western Australians and 69 per cent of Australians in regional areas (McCrindle 2023).

The chilled meat trade is already bigger than live export – in 2022-23 chilled and frozen sheep meat exports earned $4.5 billion compared to $85 million for live sheep exports.

Live sheep export has decreased, only accounting for 0.1 per cent of Australia’s agricultural exports, which means last year, only 570,000 sheep were exported, down from over 6m in 2002.

People who care for animals are not opposed to agriculture, primary production or farmers. We want a just, economically supported transition for those farmers who rely on live export.

We are opposed to the long sea voyages animals are made to endure.

There is no economic or welfare reason for the unsustainable live export practice to continue.

A Campbell

Greenmount