Communities voice issues at meetings

Skateparks, caravan tourists and train station shelters were some of the issues brought up by community members at the Harvey Shire Council annual community meetings.

The meetings were held over the past week in Yarloop, Harvey, Binningup, Australind and Brunswick and enabled residents throughout the shire to voice concerns and shares ideas with staff and councillors.

Shire president Tania Jackson said the meetings had been a success, with between 30-50 people at each meeting and good rapport between all parties, allowing residents to put forward some of the things they were concerned about.

She said each area had different concerns, such as the coastal community expressing concern about reef health and residents of other areas talking about tourism and youth facilities.

One major issue brought up at the Harvey meeting was a desire for 24-hour parking for recreational campers.

“We certainly want people to come to our area, and there are some issues with this to work through,” Cr Jackson said.

“We are already doing some work on this, but when a community brings it up it gives us a mandate to continue to work through the issues around this.”

Cr Jackson said a major concern to work through would be to attract new tourists to the area with the 24-hour camping facilities while ensuring this did not negatively impact accommodation providers.

She said ensuring there was adequate signage for those already running a caravan park or camping site could be a way of addressing this.

Another major issue in the Harvey meeting was raised by 12-year-old Harry Boylan who asked for improved skatepark facilities in town.

“We were pretty impressed that a young person stood up and talked about the issues facing young people in town,” Cr Jackson said.

Residents in Brunswick raised concerns about the lack of shelters on the equal-access ramp at the town’s train station, which meant people were left standing in the rain or heat while waiting for their train.

Cr Jackson said councillors had listened to the community and would work towards addressing the issues raised.