Re: Time to put truck plan into action: Noonan (Weekly, April 17)
Why should the state government spend more money on infrastructure already built to take heavy trucks off some residential streets? Most of the trucks concerned exit the Westgate Freeway at Williamstown Road when they could exit at CityLink and travel to Footscray Road, avoiding residential streets altogether. This heavy-duty roadway was built to cater for such traffic, also to save time for their trips. When the Tullamarine Freeway was extended to become a toll road, a couple of kilometres was handed over to the (private company) tolling entity (similar to the Monash Freeway). If truck drivers are reluctant to pay tolls for such a short distance, this part of CityLink could be exchanged for the bit on the other end. It may also encourage drivers who exit Princes Freeway or the Ring Road to change their route.
Barbara Anderson, Williamstown
Re: Forgive, forget, regroup for ALP (Weekly, April 17)
I’m glad Labor recognises that it got itself into this mess in Canberra. I just hope Tim Watts and the others get their campaign together because I reckon Tony Abbott would be an absolute disaster for the west.
Old Tom (via web)
Re: Curtains for pub with no cheer? (Weekly, April 17)
Evolve should take a leaf out of Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s book and smash the dump down on a Sunday or public holiday when authorities are enjoying their day off. Once it’s gone it’s gone. Never let red tape or red-necked morons get in the way of progress.
Terry (via web)
Re: Briffa issues third public apology (Weekly, April 17)
It took $150,000 of our money for Cr Briffa to properly admit offending and embarrassing Maureen Short. When will he apologise for wasting our $150,000? Perhaps Cr Briffa ought to think about that instead of bragging about being the first intersex mayor in the press.
George Said, Seaholme
Cr Peter Hemphill has cost ratepayers $150,000 in his futile pursuit of Cr Briffa at VCAT. There was only ever one finding of misconduct for which Cr Briffa has answered on three occasions. That is to apologise. There was no VCAT judgment against Cr Briffa given that Cr Hemphill settled for a re-issued apology. There have NOT been three misconduct findings against Cr Briffa as suggested. Cr Hemphill should now resign for this profligate waste of ratepayer funds.
Brad Matheson, Williamstown
What a bloody farce . . . it has been an all-out attempt by Cr Hemphill to victimise Cr Briffa. Why should he ever be sanctioned for defending constituents? Ratepayers need more Tony Briffas.
Clive Pattie
Cr Peter Hemphill owes ratepayers an apology for wasting thousands of dollars seeking an apology from Cr Tony Briffa for standing up against a person trying to get a toxic soil facility in Altona. Cr Briffa’s apology is essentially the same as those previously given, so why were these legal expenses incurred? Councillors are elected to serve the community, not attack others at ratepayers’ expense.
Colin Palmer, Co-convener, Hobsons Bay Residents Association
