I was as outraged as you were by the council’s decision to rezone the commercial block at the entrance to the estate and grant permission for a social housing development to proceed, especially when it was sold to you as being a future shopping district – a great asset to a little community. Some of you may remember that I spoke out at the council meeting even though it didn’t affect me personally. I stood there out of principle.

• Rezoning should never have happened without proper public consultation;

• Removing a promised group of local shops (and employment opportunities) is like buying a new car and the dealer telling you they need a wheel back;

• It introduces a very real threat of increased drug use and crime, disruptive behaviour, untidy frontages, and littering;

• The fact the estate already (reportedly) exceeds the 1:9 ratio of social housing to private dwellings should have determined it as low priority site;

• It is my belief that part of the State housing policy suggests that social housing should be dispersed throughout new estates in a bid to avoid the creation of ‘ghettos’. If so, what are they doing here?;

• The development will be situated at the main entrance to the estate, therefore being the first and last impression of the area that visitors will encounter. It will not be reflective of the otherwise pristine development you currently enjoy, which is not fair and contributes to a potential reduction in the value of your investment; and

• As if to add insult to injury, I’ve been told that the council have awarded the construction contract to a Geraldton-based company, so the resulting jobs and income won’t even benefit the local community.

There’s possibly more bad news though I’m afraid. I have it on good authority that surveyors have been engaged by the council to investigate the 100ac bush ‘reserve’ that runs along Nadebaum Tce for the purpose of clearing for future housing development. So, those of you who paid a premium for blocks near the bush and/or spent more on your build because of the increased BAL rating will be deservedly annoyed. I am unaware of the current status of this, but assure you that I will make it a priority to investigate if elected.

It seems that rules can and will be changed to meet whatever the latest agenda happens to be. Well, I’m a man of principles and I will challenge any such decision, regardless of how unpopular that might make me with the remainder of the council. It should never have been permitted in my opinion and I fully understand and sympathise with you over your concerns. Maybe I can help any further poor decision making if I get elected. That would certainly be my promise to you.

I have decided to nominate for a position on the council not just because of this, but it does serve as a very good example of why. I’m astonished at some of the poor decision making of the council on the whole and want to play a part in making a positive change NOW. If elected, I will make myself available and approachable about this and any other concerns you have. I will act for you.

Please follow my campaign page on Facebook to learn more about who I am and what I stand for. Please also SHARE it to all your Albany friends, family, and colleagues. I need an extraordinary number of votes if I’m to stand any chance, so every vote counts.

If you’d be kind enough to vote me as your number 1 choice, I would be very grateful.

Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Thanks,

James.

www.facebook.com/MakeAlbanyGreatAgain

james@agricultra.com.au

Authorised by James Macfarlane 366 Scarborough Beach Rd, Osborne Park WA 6017