News

Independent defends local services in City of Canning

1 March 2006

Bentley residents want their local services to stay, according to Independent candidate for Victoria Park, Andrew Owens, after attending the community information at Queens Park Library on Wednesday 1 March.

"Many Bentley residents feel that they are being taken for granted and that the fate of the current services is a 'fait accompli' over which they have very little say," said Mr Owens. "I have heard their concerns that the reduction of services at Bentley Library, including opening three days a week and bringing an end to children's story time, was a form of 'closure by stealth' of the library.

"The Government is trying to revitalise the Brownlie Towers precinct and has adopted the slogan 'See the light', but no matter how much money is put into that project, if the local residents, who have already lost their aquatic centre, end up losing their library as well, this important part of Bentley risks simply becoming a non-descript residential area with people having to go elsewhere for local services and to meet others socially.

"I am broadly in favour of the City of Canning's plans with regards to the Cannington site, but it should not be forgotten that people live in communities, not megaplexes, and children, disabled and the elderly may lose out completely if they do not have access to a car at weekends.

"I use the Bentley library myself and my dad uses the Queens Park one, and they both provide an excellent service. If the Queens Park library is not to be maintained, my key priority is to ensure that the land continues to serve a community purpose."

Mr Owens will maintain pressure on the City of Canning and on the State Government to provide assurances to the public that local services and facilities will be maintained. Residents are strongly encouraged to provide written submissions marked "Multipurpose Recreation and Cultural Facility" before 20 March 2006 to the City of Canning (see link for details and a copy of the full plan) so that Mason Ward councillors are in a position to represent their concerns.