newsletters

Sent: Monday, 11 February 2008 12:51 PM
To: dalkeith@nedlands.wa.gov.au
Subject: Dalkeith Redevelopment (Precinct NO 18)

Dear Sir,

I am a resident of Nedlands/ Dalkeith and have been for 25 years. I wish to oppose the planned changes to the Waratah Avenue precinct.

I grew up in the beautiful garden suburb of SOUTH PERTH and
maintained my close contact with that suburb, as my late mother continued to live in the family home there until her death in early 2005.

I have seen that beautiful riverside suburb destroyed by so called In-fill, Development, Commercialisation, Erection of Multistorey Dog Box Dwellings etc which is being planned for our suburb. I have seen first hand the conversion of the Shell garage which was formerly like our "Gull Station" in Waratah avenue, now converted to a 24 hour garage. I have seen the entry of fast food outlets in the area (McDonalds, Chicken Treat, Red Rooster and KFC) and the arrival of Bunnings, which is now open from 7.00am to 9.00pm, with its associated loss of quiet and amenity to the area.

As these ventures all attract a certain type of clientele, the crime rates have risen and certain other undesirable businesses have established and flourish in the area. Even my mother had her front door broken down in the middle of a Sunday afternoon and she was threatened by 3 youths who stole her handbags and money and jewelry.
Interestingly, the police had seen these youths, 20 minutes before the incident, loitering in the Bunnings carpark, and knew they were up to no good, but could do nothing to prevent the crime.

We even have Motels springing up in the middle of, and adjacent to, beautiful Multi Million Dollar homes with stunning river and city views. (See"Drakes with Cars" in Scenic Crescent ( x 2 ) and Swanview Terrace ( x1).

Sir, to live in a beautiful garden suburb like Dalkeith or Nedlands in major cities, you have to travel miles out of the City centre. I lived in Chicago for a year and there you have to travel at least 1 hour to reach the Garden Suburbs of Winnetka, Wilmette or Lake Forrest, and in Athens, Greece, you need to travel 45 min by train to reach the beautiful garden suburb of Kiffissia. Here in Perth we are on the doorstep of the city.
I
I oppose the large and obtrusive structures planned for Dalkeith. I resent this iconic garden suburb, (which is a significant Tourist Attraction), being destroyed forever.

Dr Peter Gregory
Watkins Road
DALKEITH