Bus stop denied
I HAVE been asked many times in the past few months as to what is happening about the request, by petition, for the installation of a bus stop and shelter in Stradbroke Avenue.
I can answer that now — the request has been declined.
In correspondence from the Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll, the request has been declined due to the fact that the bus route would have to be altered, to enable a bus to stop at requested location.
Mr Carroll mentions that the bus stop near the corner of Pye Street and Stradbroke Avenue as being “very close” to the Murray Gardens Retirement Village — the bus stop mentioned is 300 metres from the village.
There is no shelter there, and this is a long walk for an aged person, with no shade or seat on the way, and they have to cross an intersection to get to the bus stop.
With our extremes in temperature, this walk would be a challenge, even more so on return, if carrying even a minimum of shopping.
The Swan Hill Rural City Council has already approved of the shelter and the location, in Stradbroke Avenue. They, no doubt, considered all these ramifications.
Does the council approval mean nothing? They represent the Swan Hill community.
I am sorry to relay this very disappointing answer to our submission.
In doing so, I wish to point out that, without exception, people I visited enthusiastically agreed that the shelter was urgently needed.
There is a large number of aged citizens living in this vicinity. The petition was to assist all residents.
The number of signatures and requests to me since, for people wanting to sign, and interest shown, reveal a strong community interest in caring for the aged.
Thank you so very much for the community-minded people who signed my petition, thank you, also to the corner shops, and other businesses who assisted in obtaining signatures.
Thank you to the Swan Hill Rural City Council for their assistance, and ultimate approval.
Thank you also to the office of our local member, Peter Walsh, Member for Murray Plains.
Peter Walsh has worked tirelessly for our cause.
I know you will all share with me, the disappointment in the result.
I appreciate the support and encouragement given to me personally.
The need is still strong and urgent.
Margaret Cooper,
Swan Hill
Active 2021 ahead
THE Swan Hill Genealogical and Historical Society would like to advise that their room at Swan Hill library has now closed for 2020 and will reopen for visitors and research on February 2 at 10am, subject to government restrictions.
We would like to especially thank our committee for all the work they have done in this difficult year to keep things going while under lockdown.
Although our room will be closed over Christmas and January, we will still be able to respond to email enquiries and look forward to a much more active year in 2021.
Leone Walbran,
Publicity officer
Swan Hill Genealogical and Historical Society
