Layer upon layer
ONE must ask the question: with the already over-complicated model of three levels of government (federal, state, local) how have we in Fremantle been lumped with a fourth? An un-elected highly vocal, minority privy council.
We have witnessed FICRA’s recent successes in wasting time and resources by waging war against the clearly “anti-social” skatepark and the tremendously “destructive” Atwell Arcade development (and more), right when we have a council of elected members which is prepared to get in and get things done, to put some serious love into the town.
We have an elected council that operates in an open and transparent manner with a mayor who is highly approachable and does not shy away from explaining his convictions.
How have we ended up with this other seemingly influential lobby group whose president potentially could be influencing our premier to hold up a departmental transfer or some other back-room deal, and a committee that uses bully-boy tactics to threaten and blackmail our elected members for their own agenda?
I think it’s fair to ask that Mr John Dowson release the minutes of his meeting with the  premier (Herald, April 30, 2016), or we should be asking some serious questions.
The unfortunate reality is in a parallel universe I should be commending and thanking Mr Dowson and his followers on saving a lot of Fremantle’s most beautiful architecture; however, I think the old Myer building and the Kings Square precinct is not winning any architecture awards.
Our town so desperately needs a beating heart, a civic centre for the future and who better to conceive it than internationally renowned Fremantle-based architect Kerry Hill, who knows our town intimately?
To continually oppose progress is tantamount to nailing the lid shut on the coffin, and ensuring that those independently valued property prices keep going down. What needs to be on top of the list, and what I believe is at the top of our council’s list, is ensuring quality development.
We must rally together without saying “do not”, because all that does is tie up time and money for people trying to do something bold and imaginative. We must say “do better” and demand great architecture.
One must not be against all development, only bad development. The planned town centre does not look like bad development to me.
Ace Bendelman
Chester St, South Fremantle

Plenty in reserve
I REFER to the article “Scrutiny ‘bypass’” (Herald, April 23, 2016), and in particular Cr Cameron Schuster’s statement about the only way to fund the “redevelopment” of Shirley Strickland oval being to raise rates or relocate the bowling club.
Since 2007, the City of Melville has been taxing the people to the max. That’s how the city’s reserves were replenished following the huge loss of $21 million in CDOs. The city therefore has all the money it needs in cash reserves.
In fact, as stated in the city’s 2015 financial statements, the City of Melville has:
• $13 million in the Community Facility Reserve “to be used for the provision of new, renewed or upgraded community facilities owned by the City of Melville” and;
• $36 million in the Land & Property Reserve “to be used to fund revenue earning land and property purchases within the City of Melville.”
A total of $49 million which should be more than sufficient to fund the improvements to Shirley Strickland oval without raising more rates nor “selling off” public open space (as claimed by Cr Schuster).
As for the motion without notice which Cr Schuster submitted at the April council meeting, I agree with most residents who say it is an under-handed way to cut residents out of the discussion and should only be admitted in urgent cases.
James Nicholson
Applecross

War-case scenario
IN a world of war and intrigue it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between friend and enemy.
If in the unfortunate scenario of our country being invaded by a hostile foreign power it is better to be prepared with suitable defence capabilities, even if it is at the expense of minor disruptions to natural environments such as the Beeliar wetlands.
The Roe 8 extension with the addition of a tunnel through Beaconsfield and White Gum Valley as well as a new bridge across the Swan River to Fremantle Port and Rous Head Harbour would offer an additional strategic defence zone to the existing Garden Island Naval Base.
This transport route would offer a safe and fast way of resourcing these zones which would provide extra berthing for naval ships and submarines.
Most of the finance is now available through commonwealth and state funding and the project will provide much-needed employment to replace the well-publicised mining downturn with all levels of engineering and construction benefitting.
Please cease the debate about the Perth Freight Link, and remember misadventure or disaster only comes to the unprepared.
Pat O’Leary
Williambury Dve, Yangebup

Woolly thinking
THANK you Moira McDermont for sharing the idea of using the old woolstores as the new council building and library. Love it.
Ronelle Brossard
Harwood St, Hilton

Magical math
YES, hard to believe, but the Fremantle council (excepting one person) seems to ignore its common-sense capacity.
In order to ensure the loss of three of Fremantle’s properties from the council’s investment reserve was at least nearly a profit, 12 elected members suspended their common sense to believe the results of an amazing mathematical wizardry.
Within a “secret” spreadsheet exists a “very secret mathematical wizardry” that ensures the appreciation of the building (not land) of the Kings Square Project from $47 million to $97.5 million in 20 years.
This is appreciation that most of us would love! But apparently the three properties lost to Fremantle in this process have not appreciated in the same way, since they were “promised to Sirona” three years ago at a severely discounted value.
I am sure the owner of this secret mathematical wizardry will be very popular for other councils and property developers.
By the way, I think we need to stop referring to Kings Square. With the changes proposed it is no longer a square, probably not even a triangle.
Marion Blair
South St, Beaconsfield

Defending the indefensible
I DOUBT Freo’s mayor is happy about the premier comparing aspects of the the council’s Kings Square project to WA Inc (Herald, April 30, 2016), but it is not the first time for this project.
Over the years, former mayor Peter Tagliaferri has made his views clear about the financial risk to which this project is exposing Fremantle, recently describing it as “crazy” and “a disaster waiting to happen”.
The community has raised its own concerns about the finances surrounding Kings Square, but Jeff McDonald was the only councillor who bothered to take these concerns seriously.
Cr McDonald has an MBA, and is the only elected councillor with any competencies in finance. He reviewed the community’s concerns, and then voted against the extension of the Sirona deal. Other councillors seemed too busy trying to discredit ratepayers, rather than listen to their concerns. That’s our democracy at work!
The mayor could easily clear this mess up by releasing an independent expert statement from consultant Leedwell Strategic, supporting the key assumption claimed by the mayor, and by having Leedwell state it is appropriate to use this assumption when investing $47 million of ratepayers’ money. This statement could then be released for scrutiny by Leedwell’s peers.
The mayor has stated “Leedwell Strategic, including Matthew Adcock as the lead consultant that prepared the business case, supported by Cameron Bryson are both happy to put their professional reputations behind the assumptions”. Yet, when pushed on delivering on this he followed up with “I see no need ask for such a statement. It is in the published business plan which they have backed with their professional opinion that is enough…”.
This key assumption is not discussed anywhere in the Kings Square business plan, and nor is it even mentioned in the assumptions section. It is buried deep! Perhaps an assumption we were not supposed to find?
If there is nothing “WA Inc” worthy going on, why not come clean? Is the truth really so damaging? The City of Fremantle has spent more than 18 months trying to dodge answering this simple question.
Buildings depreciate — land appreciates. Everyone understands this. The City of Fremantle even applies this assumption to all its other buildings, just like everybody else does.
However, the mayor, deputy mayor Josh Wilson and (former) CEO Graeme MacKenzie need us to believe the exact opposite happens for this “special” building. This building doubles in value to $97.5 million over 20 years – just like magic! Without this key assumption, the financial analysis crashes into a $30 million loss to ratepayers – the financial disaster predicted by Tagliaferri.
Why won’t the mayor produce the independent expert report? Perhaps it is because Leedwell would not be crazy enough to go into print to support this assumption, risking its principals’ personal reputations and that of their company.
Other experts have stated “it is unbelievable to think that someone could or would state that a building (not building and land) would appreciate over a 20-year period”, and “the 20 year future estimate at $97.5 million for buildings which cost $47.44 million today is absurd”.
Brad Pettitt only has himself to blame for Fremantle council getting tarnished with the WA Inc tag, and he casts a lonely shadow trying to defend the indefensible.
Martin Lee
Fremantle

Stop the oxygen
READING the Herald’s front page story last week (“Kings Square Inc?) my partner and I were reminded of a similar story in the Herald, “New statue campaign” (January 7, 2013).
According to that story, John Dowson had been given intimate indications (from the premier himself again) that $100,000 would be available from the state government for a statue in Fremantle. Apparently, the offer was followed up by council, and no doubt numerous people wasted their time on this fabled funding, before it came to nothing.
As to last week’ story, the premier’s office generally does not confirm or deny media speculation as a matter of policy.
A “no comment” from Colin is not therefore a tacit confirmation: it is simply the standard response. The story is amusing in its efforts to make a story out of what amounts to a total absence of new information but I can’t help thinking some local news of more merit has missed out. Please, no more oxygen for the premier’s mate and his gossip.
Mark Taylor
Stevens St, White Gum Valley

Save your open space
WHY is the Strickland Oval Action Group the only one fighting against the Mt Pleasant Bowling Club cluttering their precious public open space?
What happened to residents fighting to keep the club public open space?
Mt Pleasant Bowling Club is tipped to be sold to developers. That means this public open space will be gone forever. No more green space with public access — only a tiny park!
Keeping the club where it is means a public facility is available for everyone to use. Currently various clubs, organisations and the public use the club. Businesses also use it as a meeting and seminar venue because of its peaceful outlook.
If the council needs money to upgrade the facilities at Shirley Strickland Reserve, why not charge a one-off levy for its development. I’d be prepared to pay for that!
But with increasing residential density and high rise, we are going to need all our green public open space. So don’t let the council sell Mt Pleasant Bowling Club!
Katy Mair
Former mayor

A waste of ANZAC Day?
IS collection of green waste on ANZAC Day a necessary and responsible use of ratepayer funds? Melville council seem to spare no expense when it comes to irresponsible spending -— collection of waste on public holidays, even Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Is this really the way ratepayers want their hard-earned money spent? Or is this another example of how out of touch Melville really is?
Peter Golding
Drew Rd, Ardross