Last minute nerves were very raw when fifteen minutes past the assembly deadline we only had enough people to either carry the road or don the other costumes and props. We needn't have worried though, because just in time a staggering forty five people finally climbed into their gear, took their places in the line.

Our float was very popular indeed! People cheered loudly as we came past and even more loudly when, on cue, the road was lowered and the cars screamed noisily up and down its length. Yes, so we did hold up the rest of the parade, effectively creating two parades, but we were very entertaining indeed! So entertaining in fact we won again - this time the most Fremantlesque award.

A very hot, tired and jubilant team of parade winners retired to the Sail and Anchor for a well-earned thirst quencher before triumphantly accepting our award from the good folk at the Fremantle Herald.

Which just goes to prove even the hardest acts can be followed and the simplest ideas go on to be winners!

1999 is shaping up to be a crucial year for the Fremantle region. The Fremantle Bypass will be one of the major issues for the area. To continue our campaign against the road building lunacy of the Court Government we need your constant support and contribution. Our next meeting will be on 16^th March at the Housing Co-op Hall, cnr Swanbourne and Watkins Sts at 7.30pm. Please be there and support your community.

It is important that electors seek to get the very best candidates. In the past, Fremantle Council has not always had councillors who are opposed to the Fremantle Eastern Bypass. Until 1996, Council's position was at best equivocal. It took much lobbying by the community (and a change of Mayor) to persuade Council to adopt a strong anti-bypass stance. Exercise your democratic rights. If you are opposed to the Bypass, vote for candidates who share your view!

EAST-WEST RAIL LINK TO THE ROE HIGHWAY

Here are some points we made on the proposal

We would like to see justifications for the Roe Hwy rail plan, for example a potential passenger survey, as there may be an plan to utilise this as a freight line.

The Plan's proposed rehabilitation of the South Fremantle Tip Site as an important element in Fremantle's network of green corridors and public open spaces should be given full technical and engineering support in any planning process for the rail link.

We are concerned that any rail reserve established should at no time be re-zoned as a road reserve.

SOUTHERN EXTENSIONS OF PASSENGER RAIL

The extension of the rail line south utilises existing rail infrastructure and should therefore involve less cost and a simpler planning process. We also argue that a southern line offers a greater potential to capture a larger share of commuters than a line running along the northern boundary of the proposed urban zone. The extension of the rail line south would be a useful link to Fremantle Station. It could be light or heavy rail, with light rail involving a passenger exchange at the Fremantle Station.

In early February TRAC members attended a strategic planning meeting organised by Greens MLC Jim Scott. A number of people from other local community groups also attended. An overview of the current planning issues in the south metropolitan region were presented and future strategies discussed.

The meeting was useful in that the regional implications of the FEB were discussed and networking with other local groups was possible. Jim Scott's office is now organising a meeting to create a community development plan

A delegation of community groups, comprising members of TRAC and Com-Net (Community Networking), recently met with Dr Carmen Larwrence and MUA officials to discuss concerns about the Jervoise Bay port and infrastructure development and associated road links, including the Fremantle Eastern Bypass. The MUA, along with some other unions, has expressed support for the project on the grounds that it will create new jobs.

The group informed the MUA about the substantial social and environmental impacts of the proposal, and about its dubious economic benefits. The community delegation included Paul Joyce, who has recently undertaken an economic cost-benefit analysis of the Jervoise Bay proposal as part of his Curtin University Studies. This analysis showed that the proposal is unlikely to deliver the expected jobs and economic advantages expected by both the Liberal Government and the Labor Opposition. As was explained to the MUA, the recent downturn of the oil and gas industry was likely to result in the project becoming a `white elephant'.

From the community groups' perspective, the general tenre of the meeting was encouraging. The MUA representatives, we felt, were receptive to our concerns, particularly after we pointed out that we, too, represented a section of the MUA membership who live in the affected areas! Although the MUA offered no promises, Wally Pritchard, the MUA Secretary, promised us that he will convey our concerns to the Trades and Labour Council.