Biodiversity action plan for Swan
Dear Echo News,

Is intent enough?

This week it’s likely City of Swan council will have signed off on a local biodiversity action plan, another publication that is missing action or follow through.

A provided officers’ report neglects to mention that of the 34 submissions all support the documents’ intent, however community feedback identified the draft distributed for comment lacked content, detail, timeline and priority.

In the officers’ report, there’s no evidence of actual inclusion of the community’s feedback from 2024 and scant change from the doc’s draft. Why?

For whom has this publication been created?

A 25-page document includes two pages dedicated to an action plan.

It’s titled action plan yet structurally does not meet this definition – no steps, timeline or allocation of resources to achieve goals.

Despite the weakness of the document, our council will endorse it.

Again, preservation of status quo.

Hours of feedback, genuine attempts for content change, for the common good to preserve, protect or recognise our local diversity – so critical are the times between black cockatoo, water quality, bush and wetland loss.

Beyond good intentions what purpose does the state of this document serve to actually make a difference?

Why is our money spent on pointless publications?

Is this how they intend to spend this proposed four per cent rate increase?

Intentions are not going to save our local biodiversity and there is little evidence of action arising from this plan doing so either – disappointingly.

L Deering
Woodbridge Ratepayers Association president

Call for National Service
Dear Echo News,

If ever society is crying out  for the  re-introduction of National  Service for our youth, it is right now.

The army  would soon “knock” them into shape.

They would be educated, learn new skills, and would be disciplined.

They would learn to respect themselves.

It’s no good the government  saying they could not afford it.

The cost to our country right now is colossal.

It would free up our police force for instance allowing  the police to go about their intended business without chasing car thieves and the myriad other things the idle youth get into.

A Bailey

Lesmurdie

Thanks to volunteers
Dear Echo News,

This National Volunteer Week (May 19-25), I want to extend my deepest thanks to the extraordinary people across our local communities who generously share their time and often, their most personal stories to help change the future for women impacted by gynaecological cancer.

These remarkable volunteers, many of whom are survivors or carers, bring lived experience to the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group’s (ANZGOG) work in research, education and advocacy.

Through our survivors teaching students program alone, they’ve helped nearly 20,000 medical and health students better understand the realities of gynaecological cancer – its emotional toll, the importance of early diagnosis, and the value of compassionate care.

It takes immense courage to speak out after a cancer diagnosis.

To those who do: thank you. Your voices help guide clinical research, influence policy, shape the future of care and inspire hope in others. You are helping to save lives.

We honour each of you this week – and every week. Your contribution is not only powerful, it is essential.

If you’re a survivor, carer or family member with a lived experience, we invite you to join this special community. Visit anzgog.org.au to learn more.

A Evans CEO
ANZGOG