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In opposition the Labor Party made a number of promises on transportation, some of which directly concern the Fremantle area.
The ALP has promised to delete the Fremantle Bypass (FEB) road reservation in its first term of government. While we look forward to this, it will only take us back to the situation in 1992.
Recently, TRAC members met with Mr Jim McGinty to discuss the Bypass. Mr McGinty confirmed that deletion was a priority and would be acted on as soon as Parliament returned. He acknowledged this would return us to the 1992 situation and said the sale of land would also take place as soon as possible. We explained that TRAC is planning to hold community workshops to develop ideas for the area. Mr McGinty encouraged this and noted that the City of Fremantle was also planning something similar.
The ALP also promised a freight route review. There is little information on this at the moment. We are keen to find out how extensive this review will be and how much input the public will have in the process.
We expect a much better standard of investigation in the review than what has occurred in other ?reviews? up to now. Economic, social, environment and public health issues must be addressed. Not only should the review be subject to extensive public participation but
the scope of the review and who is to undertake it should be subject to thorough public debate.
The ALP is also working towards amalgamating the Depts. of Transport & Planning & MRWA into one department. While this may have some administrative merit caution is needed, as few details are available at present. However, without a change in senior staff who have narrow and entrenched views it may well be business as usual. Part of the problem faced in the past has been government habit of putting engineers into planning positions instead of urban planners, transport planners, geographers, etc. Integrated planning has not faired well.
The ALP has also promised community / consensus workshops in decision making. Many community groups have been appalled at the quality of much of the 'consultations' offered in the past by government and the bureaucracy. Any new arrangement must ensure participation in decision making, not 'consultation' after the core decisions have been made.
Another major issue facing Fremantle is the prospect of the West Coast Highway (Curtin Ave extension) cutting through Leighton. TRAC and a number of other groups have been battling the Dept of Transport?s (DoT) underhanded methods of promoting this highway. DoT has engaged in intense lobbying to get support for its highway (see article on page2).
The highway will result in a further restriction of coastal access and a greater amount of traffic and freight trucks in the area. The chances of a high-quality Leighton Regional Park depends upon deletion of the highway reservation through Leighton.
Fremantle Bypass Land Workshops (& Party)
All welcome to the first TRAC workshop-party to discuss and plan what to do with the soon to be deleted highway reservation.
When: Sunday, 29th April, 3pm to 7pm
Where: Sullivan Hall, White Gum Valley, crn Nannine & Stevens Streets.
What to Bring: A pen, a lot of interesting ideas & BBQ food.
The TRAC Action List
Over the next few years TRAC will be campaigning for a sustainable transport system. General themes will include;We look forward to your continuing support and help on these issues.
Need Another Reason To Get Out
Of Your Car?
Studies from Britain, Europe and the USA agree that in-vehicle levels of vehicle derived pollutants are substantially elevated to those outside the immediate road area. Car drivers can be exposed to higher levels of pollutants as they are, in effect, travelling in a "tunnel" of pollution.
Car drivers were on an average exposed to 2-3 times as much volatile organic compounds as bus users, cyclist or pedestrians, 2 times as much carbon monoxide as bus users or cyclist & pedestrians and 2 times as much nitrogen dioxide as pedestrians and cyclists.
Proposed West Coast Highway extension through North Fremantle/Leighton
The Department of Transport (DoT) has engaged in heavy lobbying of local government and the public in an attempt to get support for the West Coast Highway extension through North Fremantle.
To achieve support for its highway it has engaged in 'consultations' which can be described as dubious and used old discredited information. Strategies used by DoT include;
Other interesting points to come out of the process include;
Some of the families & friends who enjoyed last year?s TRAC Fremantle Festival celebrations at Valley Park.
VALLEY PARK FESTIVAL (Fremantle Festival 2000)
On Saturday, 18th November last year, TRAC members and friends helped celebrate our annual festival at Valley Park, White Gum Valley. Once again, it was a raging success and we enjoyed a joint celebration with the Hazel Orme Kindergarten who were celebrating the opening of their "Valley of Children and Flower mosaic masterpiece." Valley Park was a good venue as it was very suitable for kids and protected from the wind.
The day got off to a kick-start at 1.00pm with tree planting along Wood Street. Many of the local residents were suitably impressed with all the willing workers who helped to plant native trees outside their homes. The object was to remind the (previous) Government that Wood Street is a fundamental and maintained component of the White Gum Valley community. Some of the trees had been donated by the Fremantle Council who, as always, is supportive of TRAC, our annual festivals and our endeavours to block Main Road?s scheme to carve up our community. We look forward to watching these trees grow over the coming years.
After the tree planting everyone joined in the feast of activities at Valley Park, which included a variety of live music, local performers and an exotic belly dancing display. There were pony rides, which were a great success, as were the Irish circus performers and the afternoon was padded out with a variety of stalls and a local produce competition, games, raffles and prizes.
TRAC's contribution to the Fremantle Festival was again brilliant. Really all modesty aside TRAC was able to illustrate the festival theme CONNECTED very well by asking all the community groups in White Gum Valley to join the TRAC float. We were delighted to discover there were 18 groups in WGV. These groups displayed amazing variety. They included the racing pigeon club, day care centres, the housing co-op, White Gum Valley Squaredancers, the Primary School, a playgroup and more.
All the groups chose a different colour and were linked by a huge
maypole. We won the prize for the 'most connected' and $300 donated by
Greens MLC Jim Scott. As usual it was all heaps of fun. Thanks to all who helped
and took part.
TRAC
Party
Come and help us celebrate the end of the Fremantle Eastern "Bypass".
As TRAC members/supporters, we can all give each other a pat on the back and rejoice that we achieved a ?David and Goliath? scenario by defeating the mighty juggernauts within the Main Roads Department. Grassroots politics prevailed, despite the fact that many people felt the freeway was already a fait accompli. Plus, we have now set a precedent for future community actions.
And now it is time for us all to celebrate. We would like you to join us at the Sullivan Hall in Stevens Street, (corner of Nannine & Stevens Sts), White Gum Valley, on Sunday 29th April between the hours of 3:00 to 7:00pm. There will be entertainment, music, competitions, children?s games and prizes. Bring something to chuck on the BBQ. Soft drinks, tea and coffee will be on sale.
Selling off the road reserves along the proposed route of the bypass is a crucial step in ensuring that the bypass can never be put back on the agenda. TRAC would like your input with regard to the future of these reserves. Because one of the assurances from the newly elected Labour Government was "listening to the community", they are also keen to have local feedback. So, come along and contribute your input to possible alternatives and your suggestions. TRAC will then present them to the Fremantle City Council and the relevant Government Departments.
For more info or offers to help call Nan on 9335 4225.
Local Government Elections May 5, 2001
Council elections are coming up soon and transport issues will be important over the next four years. It is important you find out what candidates have done, and are going to do, about issues such as;
à Use of land along the deleted Fremantle Bypass route
à Multi-storey car parks in the Fremantle CBD & the periphery car park policy.
à Extension of the West Coast Highway through North Fremantle
à Improving pedestrian and cycling routes and facilities throughout Fremantle
, especially in the CBD.