Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Opinion: Concerns over tree canopy

Staff writerStirling Times

LETTERS to the editor from the Stirling Times, May 21 edition.

Write to us at stirlingtimes@communitynews.com.au

FRANKING

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

I have asked Melita Markey (the Labor candidate for Stirling) to explain the Labor policy on franking credits.

If Bill Shorten is saying that it is a gift that Australia cannot afford, why is there not a level playing field in Labor’s policy?

Pensioners and not-for-profit organisations, which could include unions, are exempt from the policy and will continue to receive franking credits.

A pensioner receiving a dollar pension is no different from the hard-working retiree who is just outside the pension and receives nothing from government handouts.

This will push more retirees on to the pension.

If Labor believes that franking credits are a gift, then there should no exemptions. Removal of franking credits should apply to all Australians.

Peter King,

Trigg

TREE CANOPY

I found the reasons given by City of Stirling as to why they could not reach the tree canopy target disingenuous.

The vital reasons why are:

– There is no legislation that can be used by any planning authority to stop a developer bulldozing every tree, shrub and other vegetation even if the trees are along the boundary;

– The City will do nothing to stop the destruction because there is a conflict of interest eg more rates;

– It is nothing to do with ordinary “mums and dads” selling their quarter acre block. The clear felling decision is made by the developer; and

– Even if feedback or a submission is made by the community, it is ignored.

A recent example is the so-called development of the Dianella Plaza Shopping Centre. All the iconic trees that provide shade will be bulldozed. I made a submission but the mature trees will all go.

Pamela Jackson,

Yokine

More opinion