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Pool delayed 2 years

Michael Sinclair-Jones 

PLANS for a new six-lane public swimming pool have been shelved for at least another two years in favour of a new hockey pitch and six courts for basketball, netball and tennis. 

Anzac trees temporary reprieve

THE AXING of two tall trees at the town’s Anzac Memorial Park has been deferred by the Toodyay Shire Council until the town’s heavy-haulage bypass is officially assesed.

The route between Hamersley Road and Harper Street has five right-angle bends, including one at the corner of Anzac Parade and Clinton Street where two of the 14 mature lemon-scented gums that fringe the memorial park stand on the verge. 

Anyone for tennis?

TOODYAY Shire President David Dow, Deputy President Therese Chitty and Cr Judy Dow did not disclose an impartiality interest in last month’s 9-0 vote to seek $1.5 million for new Toodyay Tennis Club and other sports facilities although all three councillors are senior tennis club officials. 

Police 'unlike' Facebook crime-spotters

TOODYAY police are again pleading with local residents to first call police when they see criminal or suspicious activity instead of only posting it on Facebook for others to comment and ‘like’. 

“Last month, Toodyay police saw a Facebook post that stolen property had been found on someone’s land and returned to the owner,” Sgt Conder said.

Objectors lose landfill battle but may yet win the war

Michael Sinclair-Jones

FIVE LOCAL objectors have failed in court to overturn State Government works approval for a 30ha landfill site for millions of tonnes of rotting Perth garbage at Hoddys Well, 14km south of Toodyay.

However, in a separate move, the State has refused to issue a licence for dumping to start because it says there is no proof local groundwater won’t be contaminated.

Wroth fights on

A PRE-TRIAL conference in the Perth Magistrate’s Court failed last month to settle a Shire of Toodyay claim against former shire president Charlie Wroth for $14,300. 

Gun club fate rests on noise and lead pollution tests

Michael Sinclair-Jones 

NOISE and lead contamination assessments of a proposed new shotgun club in Bejoording will be considered by the Toodyay Shire Council in October. 

The plan, which was first discussed at a July shire forum after limited public advertising in June, angered local residents who say shooters will ruin their peaceful lifestyle and wreck the environment.

Top honours for Toodyay businesses in Avon awards

TOODYAY businesses took out many of the honours at the Avon Valley Regional Small Business Awards presentation dinner in Northam earlier this month.

Seven local businesses were entered as finalists.

Ask the experts

THE TOODYAY HERALD believes in a free, open and democratic society with informed discussion of local issues. 

We believe our community should be able to exchange views, express opinions, discuss ideas and have an opportunity to openly assess all areas of public policy. 

Dow reads riot act to packed gallery

Bat in the Belfry Geoff Appleby 

THE PUBLIC galley overflowed at last month’s Toodyay Shire Council meeting, leading one to think that Shire President David Dow would have been delighted to see so many ratepayers turn up to witness local democracy in action – not so.