I want to give you a brief report on the Highway, based partly on my recent 16th bicycle ride from Perth to Kalgoorlie Boulder.
There doesn't seem to be a coordinated and cooperative endeavour on the part of the local councils along the way to maximise both the tourist potential and the future development or state of that ribbon of bitumen stretching 600 kms, so I hereby wish to contribute in my individual way.
The wildflowers have been out in greater array this year than last, and the real glory of the Highway, that little pure blue bush that flowers mainly from about Kellerberrin onward, was out in greater numbers and over a greater distance than ever before.
Why, whereas in the past it hasn't been all that visible after about Boorabbin, this year it reached right up to within five or six kms from Coolgardie.
The installation of 15 overtaking lanes between Coolgardie and Southern Cross has started in earnest, I understand a South African firm has the contract.
Let's hope that they and the Main Roads Department and the State Government, with hoped for input from Local Councils along the way, will preserve and nurture that wildflower fund which adorns the Highway verge and is a potential goldmine to places along the Highway.
I must say some of the clearing for the roadworks up in the Bullabulling region last year seemed a scene of devastation and wholesale clearing of the precious bush which already must be subject to stress from climate change and less reliable rainfall.
The Main Roads Dept and Government have really pushed on with the installation of those corrugation strips lining the near edge of the Highway, and much of its median strip, in the last year going all the way, with breaks here and there, from about Northam to just about Coolgardie.
These on the whole are a deterrent and a danger to the many cyclists who cycle the Highway, some carrying on the long and honourable tradition of trans Australia.
But of course they are primarily intended to jolt wayward or nodding motorists back to the straight and narrow and to save lives.
I believe this is an over reaction by Government and by their jarring and noise creation every time a vehicle goes over them even slightly they must also jar on the nerves and patience of motorists.
In fact more times than ever before, on my recent bicycle ride I was cut off, crowded for space or horn blared - not by the majority, but by a minority who I believe have their patience tested by the excessively close and excessively prevalent new corrugation strips.
I believe the Barnett government has much to answer for in its policy on roads and the motor vehicle, spending unnecessary hundreds of millions, indebting the state and probably setting the scene for future massive sell offs of public assets to privateers - not to mention the terrible congestion which has ensued in the Perth region.
Thank you, Tony Bozich.
Enough is enough?
I am writing on behalf of other unhappy ratepayers and residents within the Shire of Northam and seeking your feedback if you are also dissatisfied with the lack of service/s provided by the Shire.
I am interested in your experiences and how they have affected you.
If you feel, like I do that enough is enough – then please email me your support and experience so together we may bring about some positive changes, services and improvements.
Remember, the power of the people and this was demonstrated recently in York where the disgruntled residents got rid of the York Local Government for misuse of rate payer’s money.
I look forward to hearing from you.
R Brooks
Please email your support, issues and experiences to: badgeholdings@hotmail.com or post to: R. Brooks 101 Great Eastern Highway Clackline WA 6564.