CAN councillors (Michelle) Silver and (Carole) Frost of the Lake ward please explain why the footpaths and parks in the Arion Estate are in the current state of neglect considering we are paying the specified area rate (SAR)?
The footpaths are a tripping hazard and vast areas are in desperate need of water and in areas the build-up of leaf litter/bark is becoming a fire hazard.
Elderly residents I have spoken to won’t walk around the lake in the cool of the evening for fear of tripping and breaking an arm or a leg.
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READ NOWThis hasn’t recently happened, as I have noticed a downward trend in the maintenance of our public open space over the past few years.
The following statement from the City of Armadale website is currently a joke:
“The purpose of the residential amenity services SAR is to maintain, enhance and renew the public open space provided in the newer residential estates at a standard higher than that which occurs with public-open-space throughout the remainder of the City.
“The SAR commences only at the time the City takes over maintenance responsibility from the developer.
“It would be unfair for ratepayers in other suburbs to subsidise a higher level of amenity in new suburbs.
“Care is also taken in the formula to ensure properties of higher valuation are not ‘double dipped’ in the calculation.
“Every cent collected by a SAR is spent in that specified area.”
Please don’t blame the developer for planting the “incorrect” trees as ultimately the City of Armadale approved the development and landscaping.
If the City of Armadale is incapable of maintaining basic amenities, then maybe it is time for Harrisdale and Piara Waters to move to the City of Canning or Cockburn?
ALLAN WILKES,
Harrisdale.