COTTESLOE RESIDENTS SAY NO TO FREIGHT LINK

Cottesloe Councillor Sally Pyvis is going to try to get Cottesloe Council to join the protest against the PERTH FREIGHT LINK by putting a motion up at the next council meeting. The last motion on the PFL was defeated because Mayor Jo Dawkins used her casting vote against it.

Experts have predicted a severe increase in truck and general traffic along Curtin Avenue should the PFL be built.

There have been two public meetings in Cottesloe that were critical of the PFL proposal by State Government and it was the top topic at the Cottesloe Ratepayers and Residents Association meeting earlier this month and a resolution was passed to oppose the project.

The Fremantle Townhall meeting this Tuesday is booked out, but weather permitting, will be broadcast on Kings Square.

Roel Loopers

WE ARE NOT ALONE, FREMANTLE!

Let me quote a little from a letter to the editor in a community newspaper: … to the detriment and of total disregard for the everyday requirements of its domiciliary ratepayers. How about some attendance to the neglected rubbish strewn unsealed and rat-infested lanes?

Then consider:

* A program for poor kerbside drainage and local flooding issues.

* Attention to inadequate traffic management.

* The totally unmaintained and unsightly street verges, and a consolidated street tree program.

* The abominable state of street lighting.

* The very mundane and uninspiring town centre.

* The very dangerous slab footpaths.

Sounds familiar?

Well, it is not someone complaining about Fremantle but about Cottesloe in the Subiaco Post newspaper.

Yep, we are not alone. Local councils everywhere neglect the basics and the present and mainly plan for the future.

Roel Loopers

LETTER TO THE MAYOR OF COTTESLOE

THE MAYOR

THE TOWN OF COTTESLOE

Dear Sir,

It is with great concern that I read about the Town of Cottesloe’s intention to introduce permits for commercial photography on and around Cottesloe Beach, as this would be extremely discriminatory to local and national professional photographers.

In modern times, and through internet and digital technology, we now compete with millions of amateur photographers around the world, who put their travel photos in local and international photo libraries and search engines. They are also the ones selling photos in their home countries to travel agents, newspapers and magazines, and often hold slideshows of their Australian adventures, for which they charge fees.

These people, because of the fact that the are tourists, would not be required to apply for permits and pay fees to obtain them, while my professional colleagues and I, who have been promoting our state and country all over the world with high quality photos, would be disadvantaged and discriminated again. That is unfair and not acceptable.

We local professionals get great photos of e.g. Cottesloe Beach because we return time and time again to get the perfect shots. We do so in our own time, and at our own cost and risk, as the photos might never make us any money.

Do you want us to get permits to shoot the Sculptures by the Sea, the Rottnest Swim, beach concerts, New Year’s Eve celebrations, etc?

And how does your permit proposal apply to commercial television stations who do live news crossings from the beach?

While taking photos at Cottesloe beach over the last 25 years I have supported local businesses by having lunches, dinners, coffees, take aways, and one of my photos of the Indiana Teahouse appeared on the cover of the 1997 UBD street directory at no cost to them or the Town of Cottesloe.

We professional photographers promote your beach and town at no cost whatsoever to you, but now you propose to punish us for that. That is not on.

Should you go ahead with introducing permits, I will ignore it and take photos at my leisure. I dare you to take me to court and explain to a magistrate why the Town of Cottesloe believes it can discriminate against a minority group of dedicated professionals.

Kind regards,

Roel Loopers

PROFILE PHOTOGRAPHY

COTTESLOE BEACH NAZIS

I am so delighted about the foresight of the Cottesloe council. Only the other night I woke up in a sweat and thought there are just not enough rules, regulations and restrictions in the world. We need more! Do people really think they can simply enjoy the beach, sun and ocean. Do they believe we live in an anarchy?

Surely there is no need for kids to have fun, dig holes or bring their toys. Kids should not be allowed on beaches full stop, as they throw up sand while running around wild. It’s unacceptable.

And as for those who want to bring umbrellas and other sunray shade stoppers. If they don’t like the sun at Cottesloe beach, they should stay home and inside.

Heil Cottesloe!

Roel Loopers