Ratepayers organise to campaign for residents’ rights

Two new sub-committees have been set up to focus on concerns about the West End and pensioner housing, at a recent annual general meeting for the Port Hedland Ratepayers Association.

Twelve members attended the meeting held at Port Hedland Yacht Club on December 4 to discuss the right way to push for better outcomes for the town and select association roles for 2019.

During the meeting, Arnold Carter nominated for chairman and was seconded by committee member Des Maloney, and Ronald Attwood was voted in as vice-chairman.

The association’s secretary role was left open to be decided as power of appointment by executive committee at a later date.

A motion was also put forward to hold meetings on the third Monday of each month to coincide with council meetings next year.

Elected chairman Mr Carter, who also presented a financial report on the night, said the group had more than $1000 in funding and would be campaigning to give ratepayers a choice in where they lived.

“Our aim is providing ratepayers with the choice of where they live, not forced (restrictions),” he said.

Newly accepted member Darryl Smith said securing the futures of residents at the Port Hedland Retirement Village on Stevens Street was a priority.

“We’re all on the same page — we need to band together for this (retirement village),” he said.

Mr Smith said the idea of moving the residents out of their long-term housing to alternative accommodation in South Hedland was “cruel” and “wrong”.

At a previous meeting on November 20, Dave McGowan was made administrator for the group’s social media.