Jorgensen Park not explained

Dear Echo News,

I went to the residents meeting at Kalamunda City Council Centre on April 16.

It was extraordinary the mayor said there would be no questions taken by councillors.

A brief response followed from the mayor, and later the CEO and another bloke we could see on a projected image from the other room where the councillors meet.

The only explanation of the planned ‘Harry Potter’ event of sound and lights and exhibits in the park was by one of the one hundred people in attendance.

And he was in the other room presumably with the silenced councillors.

There was no explanation by the mayor, CEO or councillors of the five-month residency for this commercial event that would close off over half the park and impact on many residents living nearby.

I expected a proponent of the event would provide an explanation but there wasn’t one.

An attendee gave us some insight of what was pending and had acquired images from the event in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

Lights that could be seen 8km away for five months, audio heard for 2km or more.

A number of residents asked questions and made statements on environmental impacts but there were no responses in explanation.

It was a pathetic lack of response by the city council.

I recall reading the pamphlet prior to the last council elections.

I was surprised that only one of them mentioned the environment!

That’s why we live here and have lived here for 40 years.

I expect most of the one hundred in attendance are similarly environmentally focussed.

I went along because Jorgensen Park is on the three species of black cockatoos’ flight path.

Such an event would most likely have significant impact on the cockies and other wildlife, plants and animals in Jorgensen Park and the adjoining Kalamunda National Park.

Makes me think the Kalamunda City council is way out of touch with its constituents and the local natural environment.

When is the next election?

G Field

Kalamunda

Kalamunda out of touch

Dear Echo News,

Thanks to H Lill of Kalamunda for highlighting the out of touch decision made by the City of Kalamunda regarding the entertainment earmarked for Jorgensen Park.

It’s about time councils and governments started taking into consideration the expectations of the community in regards to our beautiful wildlife.

Our native animals and birds are constantly under pressure because of human intervention, and I suggest in future the council does the right thing by rate payers and consults them before going ahead with anything detrimental to our wildlife and environment.

R Le Serve

Gooseberry Hill

Old ‘burbs

need new

amenities

Dear Echo News,

I write as a resident aghast at the City of Swan’s obvious lack of interest in providing new amenities in older suburbs, whether it’s footpaths, dog parks or even just giving matters of concern to residents, detailed consideration.

I find it galling to observe the concentration and abundance of facilities constantly provided to the new developing areas of the city (as they should be I hasten to add), against what can only be taken as a deliberate apathy to providing anything to the older suburbs.

My belief is that we have two councillors, Ian Johnson and Sarah Howlett, who are genuinely interested in and work for our ward, countered by a larger group of councillors, including the mayor, who have little or no interest, plus an administration that appears to operate in spite of residents’ needs, or direction by councillors.

And there is little if anything we residents can do.

I was fascinated, attending the recent electors’ meeting, at the wonderful new community facility in Ellenbrook, to find there is wide dissatisfaction across almost all wards in the community and that the dissatisfaction was aimed at the city’s administration, rather than individual councillors.

The city, in my opinion, has become too big, the requirements of new suburbs and centres take  precedence over anything residents in older suburbs might need or wish for.

Unfortunately, the state Labor government, as did the previous state Liberal government, has a policy of pursuing larger local governments, using the tool of amalgamations, along with a quiet determination to target councillors.

There does not appear to be any avenue for assessing administration, in effect, shire and city administrations are quarantined, while their bosses, (councillors) are under increasing observation.

I’m not suggesting illegal activity, but as residents, we are faced with a situation where councillors may wish for an event or facility to be investigated and perhaps introduced, but if the administration is not interested, it won’t happen, despite the wishes of residents conveyed to councillors.

However, residents can start the procedure to have a shire split and I’ve come to believe that is the best way forward for residents in the neglected suburbs of the City of Swan.

It would be foolish to think the state government would be supportive of such a move, given their wish to have less shires, however if enough people express the wish to have the city split, then things may gather momentum.

We need a minimum of 250 people, and I’m hoping that there are knowledgeable residents who are willing to help get the ball rolling, or perhaps there are already groups thinking the same way.

Hence, I’m writing this to gauge interest.

I’m very willing to work towards achieving it, as I feel it is the only way to get proper care and attention to the neglected older areas of Swan.

G Ross

Swan View

VIEW to support appeal

Dear Echo News,

VIEW (Voice, Interest and Education of Women) is a national women’s organisation and support network, bringing together women to enjoy social activities, develop skills, and make connections - all while supporting Australian children experiencing disadvantage.

VIEW is also the largest community sponsor of students of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

VIEW clubs across WA are urging the local community to give generously to The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal this year, to support thousands of children and young people experiencing disadvantage with their education.

The Winter Appeal aims to raise almost $8 million by the end of June 2026 to support students experiencing disadvantage by providing access to proven out-of-school educational programs.

Donations can be made online or by calling 1800 633 622.

J Hancock

VIEW