The Car Park is Back

Not again? A revised plan for car parking and drop-off at North Cottesloe Primary is being proposed - at the last council meeting before the local gov’t elections. The plan is much improved, saving most of the trees, yet still focuses on the car as the solution for getting children to school. No other options are provided, like trying to reduce car use, improving the kiss and drop system, car-pooling, a shuttle bus, bike programs, etc. Have your say! Check out the plan on the Town of Cottesloe website. Attend the Town of Cottesloe Council Meeting Tuesday night at 7:00 pm, Civic Centre 109 Broome Street. Arrive earlier to register your questions or submission. Elizabeth Sprivulis, a candidate for Central Ward, has written me with the following concerns: Back in 2015, a plan to re-align Railway St (essentially creating a 4-lane slow moving highway alongside a school) slept-walked through Council, citing "no-sustainability issues". With a favourable Barnett Government and a well-connected School Board not shy to ask for cash, they got approval AND $1.5 million to boot. When the Post broke the story that 19 trees would go to make way for a car park at North Cottesloe Primary School, an "explosive" Cottesloe Council meeting drew hundreds. "Trees were our heritage", "it did nothing to reduce traffic", "no-one was told"... The plan was thrown out that night. And that was the end of the matter. Right? Wrong. The same small group have cobbled together a "new plan". They want to get it approved at the next Council meeting, the last one before the election, so that the new Council is bound to the "concept". NOT JUST A COTT ISSUE Not only is it the car-centric, tree-chopping design (yes trees still have to go), but also the "domino effect": if this green space goes along the railway, it's open season on the entire green corridor running alongside it (so it's not just a Cott issue). WHAT DO WE WANT? A sensible, 21st Century approach, where the car is not king and walking or riding is the easiest choice. Let's talk to the community about what it wants, what would benefit all of us. Let's have an open, consultative process, not impose a plan on the people from on high.