Perth Voice Interactive

Intolerance on the rise
OUR ideologies have progressed so much to be humane and tolerant beings since our calendar was introduced 2015 years ago.
In the last century Australia abolished the idea of white supremacy, gave equal rights to women and Aboriginal people and gave them the right to vote.
We’ve accepted freedom of religions and separated religion from state. We’ve accepted the idea of a secular state and given way to multiculturalism.
We’ve apologised to the stolen generation. We’ve accepted homosexuality as part of our human nature and minority groups within our society.
Justice and humanity took charge, in spite of opposition by hardened people who still believe in the dark ages. As before, they are opposing again. This time against same-sex marriage, most of whom still believe in the absurdities and intolerant and anti-freedom ideologies of religions or cultures.
Alex Mulla
Smith St, Highgate

Somewhat confused
I AM writing in response to the article about Catherine Ehrhardt’s intention to challenge Bayswater mayor Sylvan Albert at October’s council elections (Voice, June 27, 2015).
I found Ms Ehrhardt’s stance to be somewhat confusing. On one hand she maintains she needs a council that will keep rates low, but on the other criticises Mayor Albert for supporting the state government’s council amalgamation plans.
If amalgamation had occurred Bayswater had the potentional to more than double the number of its ratepayers and what mayor wouldn’t want that? The whole philosophy behind the amalgamation process, as I understand it, was to achieve greater efficiencies of scale and, as a result, to keep rates down.
A number of Stirling ratepayers, such as myself, were actually looking forward to joining the City of Bayswater, a council seen to be both more innovative and customer-focussed than Stirling.
Gary Clyne
Ninth Ave, Inglewood

Out of touch
MICHAEL SUTHERLAND’s summation of continuing anti-social behaviour is correct, despite the protestations of East Perth resident TJ Maller, (Voice Mail, July 4, 2015) who is clearly out of touch with the facts.
Indeed it was only through the well-researched Evangel Report, presented to the City of Perth by the state MP for Perth, that recommendations to change the environment contributing to the problem have been identified.
The City of Perth has the Evangel Report on Wellington Square and to date nothing has been acted upon, save relocating the soup kitchen, upgrading the lighting, and the addition of a security cameras to merely observe the itinerants go about their anti-social behaviour.
The blight that attracts anti-social behaviour is the 75-year-old health hazard called a “public facility”, and remains the centre of ongoing problems. Despite the report’s overwhelming positive recommendations, including demolition, to be replaced with a modern self-cleaning facility, the City remains intransigent in its approach.
This facility is the last legacy of its type in Perth, and is some 40 years overdue for replacement. How is it the Evangel Report remains ignored by the City of Perth, and the businesses and residents are constantly assailed by the continuing anti-social behaviour emanating from the Wellington Square toilet block?
Mr Maller, a critic of Mr Sutherland MLA, might do well to avail himself of the report by calling his electoral office, or that of Eleni Evangel if he really wants to get himself up to speed on the facts. In the meantime the businesses, residents and ratepayers of the East Perth precinct await the City of Perth’s action in respect of this report.
CG Johnson
Convenor, Citizen Advocates for Wellington Square

Ssh in the city
PERTH city council is keen to promote inner-city living and help Perth grow by building a higher density of CBD residents.
This is good for the council as it brings a lot more ratepayers to its zone, as well as atmosphere and activities. The only problem is that small businesses move into these now mainly residential areas and feel they have the right to run late-night events and disrupt the many for the profit of a few.
One local business claimed to have council permission when we approached it, however the council was not aware of what was going on and had not given permission when the business got its operating licence.
The council should be doing more to police businesses operating out of allowed hours and build the appeal of inner-city living or it will soon evaporate. Maybe our council fees need to be reduced to compensate for the loss of our living environment.
No-one argues with having things to do in the city, but late-night music parties on residential streets each weekend is a bit much.
Backward step, PCC.
Richard Aguilera
Boans Lane, East Perth

Spring is coming
JUNE was the warmest on record for Perth. An acacia outside my kitchen window is pushing out sprays of young green while its liquidambar friend and neighbour has buds in countdown mode. On the first day of midwinter—gosh.
Charlie Benskin
Kingston St, Nedlands