RECENT council decisions regarding a ward-based system have left residents feeling ignored.
Read this week's letters to the editor:
ONE has to ask how so much power has been give to our Councillors,and surely such a decision should be given to the rate payers of our City in the interest of democracy.
I see the existing process as each councillor voting for themselves with out giving due process to the rate payers.From my recent experiences of trying to seek support or at least a councillor to represent my issues to Council ,the statement by Cr Jenny Green that Councillors represent everyone is a long way of the mark in real terms.
The voting out of the Ward system in 2007 was because Councillors could not get along with one another and not the failure of the Ward system.
Thankfully we have some real experiences provided by Ms Robin Furlong on how successful the Ward system can work and provide the rate payers with someone to represent them in Council.
Brian Smith
Provence
DO we have a democracy here in the West?
The Oxford dictionary defines democracy as: State having government by all the people, direct or representative and tolerating minority views.
Elected to serve the people, and consider the public view, the council chose to ignore three quarters of the 140 submissions for the new concept and 2600 signatures on a petition to keep the Nautical Lady.
A great attraction, an icon of what Busselton means… a fun place, quirky, friendly and unique.
Instead we are to get a micro brewery, opposed by the public and the police department, who voiced concerns for additional alcohol outlets.
The mayor expressed his opposing opinion to providing short term stay areas for the campers and caravans staying overnight in the public parks or reserves.
They are stopping there because we don’t provide sufficient facilities or amenities for those very same tourists who bring much needed revenue to the town and businesses.
Busselton is popular because of the great people, friendly atmosphere and relaxed family attractions – not alcohol outlets or fancy foreshore buildings.
The money should be spent on improving town access.
Perhaps shady picnic areas or additional food outlets near the Jetty or car-free areas for the town’s pedestrians. The council should listen; it was the townsfolk who saved the Jetty and helped make Busselton into what it is today.
Councils will come and go but the town will still be here, so let us build a better experience for everyone, residents and tourists alike, and save what we currently have.
Mike Gent
Busselton
I FULLY support the re-introduction of the Ward or District System.
We live in the Provence sub-division which is still maintained by the developer.
We pay our rates plus a levy and have done so for the past five years.
We have requested a number of services, including a bus run to the area, a post box and toilet facilities at the park, and have received no support from council.
If we had support from a ward councillor we at least would have a spoke person who would understand the need for these services and continue to lobby the other members of council.
The existing system, while the councillors will say is working fine, does not give us the support we need and seems to support business or tourism over the residential rate payer.
It is my view as the city grows we will need to have district or ward representation to better serve the rate payers of Busselton.
Brian Smith
Provence
AUSTRALIA does not have a Bill of Rights but does have a 1900 Constitution which gives all Australians four basic rights, one of which is the freedom to vote.
Voting is compulsory in only Federal and State elections yet we hear many complaining that they should have the right not to vote or see apathetic voting in Local Government elections of some 30% average of eligible voters.
Australia is the lucky country and possible because we have it all, most of us are indifferent to the shaping of our society by politicians.
There are even some in the spheres of all governments who would be happy not to have free elections and remain in power for their own ends.
That type of thinking is dictatorial and taken to its extreme would result in Australians becoming like millions of people in the world just fighting for the voice in countries that are owned by the few.
We see this thinking in the Busselton City council where they thrive on low interest in the council, low election votes, and a ‘clique’ that ensures in house elections without one member of the community able to vote for the highest office in the city.
We should ignore all the ‘clanging bells’ and minority groups, make all elections compulsory and every position voted for by the community.
The rubbish that is espoused by some in stating that in voting in candidates we are also voting in Prime Ministers, Premiers and Mayors to their positions when in fact they are elected from within the elected government membership.
The only time this does not occur is when Mayors are elected by the community and that should be the normal process.
Good government requires all to be treated equally with all the capacity to voice an opinion.
The Busselton City councillors should be ashamed that they are electing to choose a non democratic path of limiting community input by eliminating some voting rights.
John Wilkins
Kalgup
I HAVE just sat down to read the paper and 2 stories state that the City of Busselton councillors have made a decision regarding the future of the Nautical Lady and the reintroduction of the ward based system.
Seriously I think its about time our councillors listen to the residents of this town and stop making the decisions for us.
Or we need new young blood in there to freshen things ups and look at the future of this town.
We have a voice its just not being heard.
Seems a little bit suss if you ask me.
Kay Campbell
Facebook
HAVING read the letters in mail 4/1/15 and the article on page four one would wonder why the council submissions on shire articles are called for.
The council doesn't really care what we think and wont listen to the people 2500 signatures, 100 submissions opposing the removal of the tower, but it is going to go. submissions on the microbrewery opposing it on the foreshore, but it is going ahead, council doesn't really care what we think, and wont listen to the people.
The people don't want council to spend two million to move the old train station to the foreshore, but it will go ahead, again they wont listen.people go to shire meetings to express there point, re these concerns, but they do not respond or care, and don't listen to the people.
People would like to bring back the wards, but the council wont listen to the people.
The people said no to spending 20 million on new office's but they didn't listen to the people.
I don't really care anymore what the shire does because they wont listen to what the people want.
Lets look at some of the other issues around the town, bring the tourist office back to Peel Terrace where it was, don't really know what council works are going to be done on Kent Street, as the maps in local press are too small to read and shire doesn't say what work will be done, work started on Laymen Road 12 months ago and still is not finish, Barnard Oval has been on going for that long, I cant remember when it started.
A new fire brigade track has been put in and still not finished, do they get a building like they had?
I could go on with a lot more but I don't really care because the council will do what it wants not what the people want because the council doesn't want to listen
Ean Osborn
Snipe Close
