It was interesting to read the front page of the Leader last week (“Business at risk”, Leader, May 11).
The proposal that Rockdale Council has for the Ramsgate Beach redevelopment reminds me of why we don’t have a world class transport system.
Our politicians who make decisions on public transport travel overseas first class and then get picked by a government car or a limousine.
They do not experience the reality of public transport.
I ask the same question of the decision-makers at Rockdale Council. Do you live in the Ramsgate area or have you driven through this shopping complex?
It is unreasonable to make decisions sight unseen.
Listen to the shopkeepers - they know from daily experience what works and what does not.
Paul North, Dolls Point
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Regarding Ramsgate Beach parking.
The parking is shocking down there. Try finding a spot on some days. Have to park in Alfred Street but they are working on that street as well.
More apartments, not enough car spaces in the apartments and of course more cars in the streets.
I’m sure half of the cars that are there are from the units around there.
Pamela Schofield
The current situation is terrible. Parking is dangerous and half the time you are worried you are going to hit a pedestrian.
That’s half the reason I started shopping at the Superbarn because it is more convenient to park.
Panayiota Mandis
From the sounds of it the plans were made from someone who has never ever been there.
Renée Van Kraanen, Leader Facebook
Traffic concerns ignored
How much must the residents of O’Brien’s Estate suffer at the hands of Kogarah Council’s planners and councillors?
On April 20, 2016 approval was given for a high-rise residential building on the corner of Woniora Road and Greenbank Road, Hurstville.
At that meeting, Cr Stratikopoulos (Middle Ward) voted against any amendments to reduce the bulk of the building.
The proposed building’s height and density or spaciousness will exceed the controls under the New City Plan.
What’s the purpose of a Local Environmental Plan (LEP) when the developer simply ’buys’ their way with a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA), when the council and councillors support over-development irrespective of the excesses imposed on the community?
The over-shadowing from the building will affect properties in the conservation heritage area.
The resident’s traffic entering/exiting to Woniora Road will affect the movement on this major road.
Kogarah Council has accepted the seriously flawed traffic report from the developer, agreeing, no impact from some 420 vehicles movement, once a day and more frequently, from the building.
The resident’s concerns for traffic flow were ignored.
The worst aspect, the councillors on Kogarah Council have ’promoted’ the money coming from Diercorp (the developer), the over-development, and approx $ 8million, as being beneficial for Kogarah. How?
It stinks. More than the vehicle exhaust fumes from big trucks, the demolition dust and noise for those residents in the O’Brien’s Estate.
T Scott, Kogarah
Not seen at the ball
In response to (“Mayoral Ball Dumped”, Your View, April 13).
When was the last time Mr Peter Mahoney attended a Mayoral Ball? I don’t ever recall he has attended one.
Perhaps Mr Mahoney is not aware that in 2002, I initiated that Hurstville City Council commence annual fund raising activities for the Cancer Care Centre, at St George Hospital.
Council over the years has had wonderful community and business support of our charity events and this has equated to more than $800,000 being raised through fundraising initiatives.
These funds have directly assisted this most important regional health facility.
Finally, council is a proud supporter of the Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital and I hope this continues for many years to come.
Cr Vince Badalati, Hurstville Council
Trapped in car park
I park frequently above Hurstville Station and the ticket machines and boom gates often malfunction.
Recently I parked at 9.42am and tried to leave at 10.09am, the times noted on my receipt.
The ticket machine accepted my money, gave me a receipt, but returned neither my ticket nor complete change.
The machine would not cancel the transaction.
It is impossible to leave the car park without a ticket.
Pressed the help button: no reply
Rang the number on the machine: no reply
Rang Centro management: No assistance.
The only escape was to pretend I had lost my ticket on another machine and pay $27.
This was not an option for me. Meanwhile another family was ‘‘trapped’’ by the same machine.
Half-an-hour later at about 10.50am, my change appeared, our tickets were returned and we could finally leave.
My ticket was stamped $2 paid but the boom gate deemed it cancelled and I had to pay another $2 to escape.
Someone should be available to deal with emergencies and ticket malfunction at all times that the car park is open to the public.
On the Friday I attended this was not the case.
M. Hardy, Hurstville
Election comment
Letters commenting on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.
Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by Leader editor Albert Martinez, 13A Montgomery Street, Kogarah.
