Environment

Congratulations to all staff and fellow Councillors in delivering the on line community forum project, I look forward to community participation and reading the comments. Special thanks to Stephanie Addison-Brown, Director Community Customer Services and the CEO Mr Andrew Brien. Job well done :)))

I want us to lead the way in environmental management. Without protecting our environment all other things such as economy, society and culture are pretty much useless. We need to introduce urban design principles that reduce our impact upon the natural environment, and in particular, reduce our the dependence upon motor vehicle use.

We certainly need to change the focus from the motor car to walking, cycling and the use of public transport. This will require major cultural change and a vast improvement in the provision of walking paths, cycling tracks and a much better bus service. Park and ride needs to be introduced to get people to and from work with minimal use of the car.

I call for the introduction of a policy by not only the City but also the State and Federal Governments to ensure that every tree removed - is replaced by at lease 5 new ones. I call for native shrubbery to be used as a natural barrier on the side of roads to pull up out of control cars up, before they strike large trees.

Don't wait 20 years, promote affordable inner-city living now so that people can live and work in the city with minimal use of their car. Get in early with electric car technology so that Bunbury residents find it easy to use electric cars as they penetrate the market. Bring the environment into the city by setting aside and nurturing an alternative "Big Swamp". eg Picton area?

MESSAGE TO CITY OF BUNBURY MAYOR, COUNCILLORS AND ADMIN STAFF

HERE WE GO AGAIN.

ANOTHER SURVEY. MORE WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY.

WHAT BUNBURY NEEDS IS ACTION....ACTION....ACTION

OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS WAS SPENT BY CITY OF BUNBURY ON THE CITY VISION PROJECT NOT SO LONG AGO AND NOOOOOO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. NOW WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE PUBLIC WITH MORE SURVEYS AND MORE QUESTIONS.

PLEAAAAAAAAAASE. CAN SOMEONE TAKE SOME STRONG LEADERSHIP AND GO BACK TO THE CITY VISION PROJECT WHERE ALL THESE QUSTIONS WERE ANSWERED BY THE COMMUNTY OF BUNBURY AND LET'S GET SOME ACTION HAPPENING.

The statement "the region must balance the protection of ecological processes and natural systems with economic development" is fundamenatally flawed in that 80% of the natural ecosystems of the Swan Coastal Plain (Greater Bunbury follows this ratio) have been destroyed. Thus balance is already askew and we cannot get that back. It would perhaps be better to say that "the region will weight the protection of ecological processes and natural systems against economic development". This can be achieved by targeting high quality economic development that does not involve the destruction of remnant ecosystems. As Bunbury Lad says "I want to lead..." so lets lead. While governors support the clearing of remnant ecosystems, or remain stuck in the old paradigms of development, the statement "To value and protect the environment" means little. Don't talk about balance when there is no intent, or ability, to retrieve balance. Bunbury needs action... now.

Lead the way and please do not develop Bunbury's (Natures City) and its beautiful waterfront in the generic fashion and to the scale Mandurah, Geraldton and Fremantle have...citizens need to be able to see reflected in their cities...

- their 'renewed environmental consciousness'

(Gehl 2009 P 11)

- to become involved in public activities and spaces that helps negate any feelings of isolation a citizen may feel

- to be outdoors all year round.. . (these are to name just a few.. . )

We are already dealing with a modified environment. We can learn so much if we chose to stop and listen to the land, listen to its people and listen to their stories.

Respecting the natural environment is one thing, designing the natural environment is another. We are dealing with an already modified environment as already stated. Designing with the remainder of our natural environment is challenging, not impossible but certainly challenging.

First we must understand our natural environment. We must learn to listen to our land, read it and work with it not against it. Creating usable attractive green spaces, shade, both more…

Protect our existing parklands and beaches. Get 4WDs off most of the beaches and sand dunes, and into 4WD areas of the beach, away from families trying to use the beaches. 4WDs and sandboarders do a massive amount of environmental damage to our delicate coastal dune system.

Reduce use of private cars by further increasing the efficiency & frequency of public transport, and keeping bike riders safe - we have to either share a path (where available) with often small children, mothers with prams, and old people in gophers or wheelchairs, or risk our lives riding on the roads.

We always need to protect our environment but also infrastructure needs to be maintained, the wall to the canals at Pelican point were built solidly but the area just near the over bridge is broken and washing away all the soil and soon will encroach onto the walk path. It needs to be attended to before the winter. This area is a beautiful walk and many people use it on a daily basis but it will become more dangerous as time moves on.

I think we need to clean up our entrances to Bunbury and make it noticeable when you arrive. Mandurah does a good job of this and I think Bunbury should do the same. Just one thing I have noticed.

Compromise can be made to allow people to live and play in an evironmentally sustainable city. It does not always have to be about "no access" whether that be to beach, parkland or natural bush. There are many instances of lovely 'inner city' and coastal development which has livable areas as well as access to the natural environment built into the design. Bunbury can do it..................

I am not aware of much environmentally responsible management having taken place in Bunbury at all.

I see lots of evidence of dieback in the region, lack of street trees, poorly planned housing developments that might have water wise gardens but lack trees to provide shade and habitat for native animals.

Also, please lobby DEC for a damage licence to destroy kookaburras. They are ferals in WA and are destroying our populations of small native birds and reptiles.

I would love to see Programs and special events similar to the ones held by the Kings Park Education programs in Perth. We have the bushland and natural reserves at our doorstep and they would be the perfect way to teach our future generations the importance of preserving and nurturing our environment. To get an idea of what is involved go to www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/education.

The Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a place where children can connect with nature and learn to appreciate the unique WA environment. It is a place where they can explore, climb Rocks and ropes, investigate creeks, build cubbies and get dirty.

School excursions could ensure access to all school age children in Bunbury and surrounding areas.

Perhaps sponsorship by one of the major minesites (as Rio Tinto does in Kings Park) would be a great way to "give back" to the communities that support their mining operations.

Council has provided this forum for your say, its time for Action. Bunbury has many brilliant people who provide sound practices and want to make good changes. I am often feeling snowed by this council. Action is typically dissappointing ie Ocean Drv cycle path. The Enhancement of Ocean Drv is a huge failure by city planners to address Transport and Environment. Management of Big Swamp and natural waterways dont appear to have clear jurisdiction and planning. When will council grow up and set some standards.

So much of Bunbury's environment is poorly maintained -kerbs, verges, drinking fountains, information signs, fences, signs, etc.

More resources devoted to the landscaping of the streets, parks and beaches would contribute enormously to the community's sense of ownership. Volunteers are wonderful but the City should not rely upon them to provide basic services such as litter collection, weed removal, verge mowing and fence repairs.

Boulters Heights is a difficult area but surely, well-planned landscaping by well-informed professionals could enhance this area. Maiden Park Reserve seem unappreciated by the Council as very little maintenance is carried out.

Support those groups of volunteers in the Community who offer to undertake projects such as heritage trails and parklands care with financial and labour resources.