Why, Roel?

ROEL LOOPERS attacked the Fremantle Society, as he likes to do, in last week’s Herald (“Minifesto?” Roel’s Round). 

This time he attacked them for presenting an excellent and detailed Manifesto for the future of Fremantle with lots of great ideas that was printed the week before in the Herald.

What is it with this constant negativity? 

You’d think he was beholden to the developers.

Bill Ody
Via email

Sign of the times..

I LIVE in Hilton and had no idea until very recently of plans for a large electronic sign on the corner of South Street and Stock Road.

It is plans like these that leaving me marvelling at the ignorance of our decision makers. 

Are our councillors not aware of the global, environmental crisis taking place at the moment?

Do our councillors have any notion that this crisis has been caused by over-consumption? By squandering our Earth’s precious resources and turning them, largely, into waste?

Are out councillors aware of the degree of anxiety and stress, mental illness, financial difficulty and the layers of neglect that our society is experiencing?

Do our councillors have a notion of ‘visual pollution’?

What, do they imagine, is happening to a driver’s attention when a great light sign is vying for it? 

Do we really need persuading to consume more?

I ask; “Do our esteemed councillors know?”

And then I ask, “Is it even possible to be so ignorant?”

I am left wondering, who benefits; whose money is wanting this sign?

Whose back is getting a little scratch?

Jane Crothers
Hilton

No half way

APPEASEMENT doesn’t work Roel; trying to meet the developers half way won’t work. 

Perth has over 200 suburbs, I don’t know why the Fremantle Society making a manifesto to try and protect the character of a small part of one suburb is such a problem? 

There are quite literally hundreds of other suburbs to build this six-storey utopia. 

The Manifesto has some great ideas that celebrate Freo’s unique charm and character, which is the reason Fremantle is so loved – People don’t come to Freo to take wedding pictures in front of soulless dog box apartments.

Leo McHugh
Via email

Dim vision

SO the council feels that the Carriage Cafe does not fit its “vision” for the park.

I wonder what that vision might be, given that Fremantle, apart from the strip and South Terrace, looks like it did prior to the America’s Cup; grubby streets, empty buildings and a generally run down appearance.

Thus the cafe in question fits the current ‘look’ of the place. 

It would be nice if it got tidied up and re-opened rather than destroyed.

A new cafe will only be another anodyne glass and stainless steel  place with little or no character and heaven knows the town need character, as much has been lost in recent years.

Geoff Dunstone
Palmyra

Mole for all

FREMANTLE Port Authority closed access to the South Mole in March due to illegal camping and a rave party held on South Mole.

They have now opened it to pedestrian and bicycle access while they undertake public consultation on future access to the South Mole closing on June 6.

I encourage all who are interested to go to the Port Authority website and put in a submission.

I am 70 years old and fished South Mole for many years. 

It has been beneficial to both physical and mental health for myself and many others with or without mobility issues. 

Buses use to take the elderly and those with disabilities out onto the South Mole to view boating, shipping and peoples activities which assists with overall well-being.

The South Mole is a State asset which should be able to be accessed by all not just those fully able.

Fishability is currently negotiating with Fremantle Port Authority to install fishing platforms on the South Mole to assist access for the elderly and disabled.

We should not be restricted by the actions of a minority of people. 

Fremantle Port Authority should work in liaison with Fremantle City Council and police to put in place policies and solutions to this problem rather than simply denying or restricting access. 

I have put my suggestions in my submission and suggest others do the same.

Graeme French
South Fremantle

Be constructive

ROEL LOOPERS attacked the Fremantle Society, as he often enjoys doing, in last week’s Herald. 

This time he attacked the society for presenting an excellent and detailed manifesto for the future of Fremantle with lots of great ideas that was printed the week before in the Herald.

What is it with this constant criticism? Is he beholden to developers?

Instead of this constant criticism and whinging I would like Roel to start instead to be constructive by offering solutions or at least a better strategy for improvement in all areas he is so good in whinging about.

Agnieshka Kiera
Via email