community news

A looming staffing problem in WA's twenty-six Police and Community Youth Centres is exposing the Barnett Liberal government's disregard for youth services and the complete hypocrisy of the "law and order" rhetoric that crops up at every state election.

The PCYCs are formally independent non-profit organisations, although supported by the state through the provision of police officers as full-time centre managers.

The Fremantle PCYC based in Hilton sees a staggering 38,000 visits per year and hosts a vast array of activities from the traditional sports through to guitar lessons and its award winning Noongar Healthy Lifestyle program. There is also a computer room and drop in centre, used by up to 40 young people per day; mostly from the local Noongar community.

We're writing to invite you to come along to the opening of the new Fremantle Activist Centre.

Like the Perth Activist Centre, the new Fremantle Centre promises to be a valuable asset for both the socialist and broader progressive movements.

We'd love you to drop in for a few drinks and nibbles to help celebrate the big day:

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. It's been a privilege to work with so many passionate, dynamic and community-minded people on a big range of important campaigns and community initiatives this year. These include:

The precinct groups (Hilton, Samson & O'Connor), new club rooms and light towers at the Dick Lawrence Oval, the Hilton Harvest community gardens, the Road 2 Rail campaign, reducing speed limits on South St, the City's Climate Change Working Group, the establishment of the Freo Bicycle User Group, the 40th anniversary of the Warrawee women's refuge and much more.

Contrary to reports in the media the Workers Club will not be closing after all. New President Don Whittington asked me to pass on the good news and invites you to become a member. It’s only $20 to June 30th 2012.See you at 9 Henry St Fremantle.

The article below was written by Fremantle Road to Rail activist Barry Healy:

Fremantle is emerging as a key battle ground between between a Liberal-National state government committed building freeways at any cost; and a community that wants to see better public transport and the return of freight on rail.

Container movements at Fremantle Port are predicted to double by 2020, yet the percentage being carried to port by train has declined from 17% in 2007 to 11% in 2011 and is predicted to dwindle down to 8.5% by 2012.

Say: "WRONG WAY: GO BACK"
to Troy Buswell’s truck plans!

End the Road Building Madness !
Freight on Rail for a Sustainable Future!

STOP LYNAS!

Come and hear community from Malaysia campaigning against Lynas Corporation. Learn about this Australian rare earth mining company’s plan to impose their Lynas Advanced Materials Plant - a toxic and radioactive rare earth processing plant - on their lives and livelihoods.

Here are some photos from the very successful rally today to stop Roe 8 organised by Save Beeliar Wetlands.

There's been a lot of discussion about better public transport for Fremantle and the proposal for a light rail network. But it's just as important to get freight off the roads and on to rail. Under the previous state government the percentage of containers moved by trains was lifted from 3% to 17%. It's now slid back to 11% and tipped to drop to 8% next year. This is a disaster for air quality, green house gas emissions, noise and traffic congestion; and residents along High St and Stock Rd are taking the brunt.

The state government has pushed ahead with its plan to privatise the provision of ancillary services at the Fiona Stanley hospital. Their promotional guff claims there is no evidence that privatisation is bad for services or job conditions. They must think we've all been living under a rock for the last thirty years.

Congratulations to Dave Hume and the other residents who did all they could to oppose the privatisation. Keep your spirits up, we may all be called on to stop the proposed closure of the Fremantle Hospital emergency department. Go to the Save Our Services website to see how the state is gutting our essential services.