Paradise Lost?... a tragedy in the making

The following is copied and pasted without change from the Araluen website. http://www.araluenbotanicpark.com.au/paradiselostf.html
Yes I could have just pasted in the link... but I'd rather anybody coming to this site reads it straight away and the important message that it contains should be repeated everywhere.

The threats:
Street parking bans by Armadale City CouncilResulting in
Araluen no longer being able to hold major events such as Springtime and the Perth Chilli Festival. This will have a crippling financial impact on the Foundation. Without financial support to make up for the loss of income, which appears extremely unlikely, the park operation will become non-viable and we will be forced to cease operations.
Lack of action by the WA State GovernmentResulting in
A strong possibility of there being no one to manage the Park due to a lack of proper administrative arrangements leading to the gates closing on 1 July 2009.
Who are we?
The Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (Inc) is a Not-For-Profit volunteer organisation whose sole reason for existence is to manage Araluen Botanic Park. We are supported in this by a large membership from across a broad range of the community.
We have a large committed volunteer base with a wide range of skills at all levels right up to our Foundation Council. We employ highly professional and dedicated staff who are just as proud of being part of Araluen as everyone else is.
We at Araluen would prefer not to have to engage in campaigns like this. However, since our very existence is at stake, we have no choice.
We hasten to point out that we have not done anything wrong - quite the opposite. Our 'reward' for many years of successful operation at Araluen (at minimum cost to Government under a model that is admired throughout the country) is to be threatened with extinction. Please help us to ensure that Araluen can continue to bring pleasure to the people of WA well into the future.
In order to stimulate informed debate, we have provided the following summary of what has occurred and what it means for Araluen.
Our relationship with Araluen
The Park is owned by the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) who has leased it to the Foundation since 1995. The Commission also provides an operational grant to supplement the Foundation's own fundraising activities. The Foundation's last option on the lease expires on the 30th June 2009 - less than 12 months away.
Our record
In almost 18 years of active involvement the Foundation has been responsible for extensive restoration of the infrastructure, gardens and built heritage of Araluen while developing the gardens to the point where they now hold many of the best collections of ornamental plants in the state.
The Foundation has also created many successful events to encourage the public to visit Araluen and experience its unique atmosphere and special plants. As a result Araluen is now famous for the tulips and other flowers on display during 'It's Yates Springtime at Araluen' and the Perth Chilli Festival. These are now both major events in the Perth tourist calendar and have received many accolades and awards, most recently a WA Tourism Gold Medal.
The threats...
Street parking Bans by Armadale City CouncilArmadale City Council voted on a motion originated by Councillor Pat Hart* to disallow street parking at major events like Springtime and Chillies after 30 June 2009. For several years the Foundation, at considerable expense, has satisfied all the Council requirements in relation to traffic flow and parking at these major events. In deliberations that led to the decision, Council quoted "major traffic management issues affecting the amenity of Croyden Road residents". Our inquiries revealed that there had been very few complaints. The deliberations also indicated that the Council had engaged in discussions with State Treasury officials and was willing to use this parking ban to force the issue on the future management of Araluen. Council was also made aware of the ramifications of this decision and advised that it may be neglecting its duty of care. The Foundation wishes to respectfully point out that it believes this is outside the duties and responsibilities of the Armadale City Council.The minutes of the Council's City Strategy Committee of the 8 October 2007 (pages 41 & 42) and the Full Council meeting of the 15 October 2007 (page 5) are available for download from the Armadale City Council website.*Councillor Hart is also a member of the BGPA Board and a resident of Croyden Road. She is also a member of the Araluen Botanic Park Board (see below).
After a street parking ban is implemented Araluen will no longer be able to hold major events such as Springtime. This will have a crippling financial impact on the Foundation. Without financial support to make up for the loss of income, which appears extremely unlikely, the park operation will become non-viable and we will be forced to cease operations.
Lack of action by the WA State GovernmentWith less than 12 months to go on our present lease the Government has no plan in place for the continued operation of Araluen. It is possible that on 1 July 2009 the gates to the park will be locked with no manager or plans for the future.
The Foundation is no longer able offer our supporters including our major sponsors any long term relationship with Araluen. Our Financial viability is slowly but surely being strangled.
Who does what
The role of parties involved with Araluen is often not clearly understood. For the sake of clarity the present situation is that…
Araluen has been managed since 1995 under a lease by the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (the Foundation).
The lease is between the Foundation and the owners of the land, the WA Planning Commission (WAPC).
As part of the lease a committee of the WAPC was established, known as the Araluen Botanic Park Board (ABPB). The original board was active for many years and mutually beneficial to all parties involved before lapsing in 2006. For twelve months the Foundation dealt directly with representatives of the WAPC.
In tandem with the lease there is the payment of an operational grant to the Foundation.
In 2001, seven years ago, the Machinery of Government (MOG) report was handed down. The report contained many recommendations about governance in WA including that "management of Araluen and Whiteman Park should be transferred to the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) once planning processes were complete." These MOG recommendations were once considered to be cast in stone. However, a precedent has already been set in that it has been decided not to transfer Whiteman Park to the BGPA.
In 2007 a newly constituted Araluen Botanic Park Board was appointed whose terms of reference include priority tasks mostly associated with the transfer of Araluen to the Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority (BGPA). The Foundation has only one representative (John Colwill) on the new board while there are two with direct interests in BGPA, the CEO Mr Mark Webb, and BGPA board member and Armadale Councillor, Pat Hart.
The transfer of Araluen to statutory bodies other than the BGPA has been discussed informally by many parties but no firm decisions or recommendations have been made to date.
In 2006 following a presentation from the Foundation, the board of the BGPA decided that if the land was transferred to the Authority it would not offer the Foundation a lease.
We are also aware that other options canvassed include closure of Araluen.
Over the past 5 years the Foundation has been quietly working to secure the best future for Araluen but being a volunteer organisation we are considered to have no official standing at government level and have mostly not been consulted or involved in discussions. It seems nonsensical that the people who have a demonstrated ability and dedication to the Park and who have fully managed it over 13 years have been left out in the cold.
In response to nearing deadlines the WAPC is considering some temporary measures for after the 30th June 2009. The Foundation is grateful for this consideration but fearful that the funding may not be adequate for a viable operation in a climate where short term security is likely to lead to a fall in external support.
We have repeatedly stated to anyone who will listen, that we want to continue to manage Araluen, provided that we are adequately funded for the task.
There is an old adage that applies -"If it ain't broke - don't fix it"
Public Safety
A further complicating factor has been the lack of action on a northern access to Araluen. This has been identified as a significant safety issue. The Foundation believes that acquisition, by mutual agreement, of the property to our north would resolve both the safety and parking issues as well as allowing Araluen the space, soil, water and topography to achieve its full potential as a world class garden.
What must happen
The Foundation would like to get back to doing what it does best - managing Araluen Botanic Park with the aim of creating a world-class garden. It has already amply demonstrated its capacity to do this and would like to be allowed to continue to do so utilising its strong network of public support and involvement, and without unreasonable constraint and interference.
We need your help - right now!
In order to ensure that Araluen has a secure future...
The State Government has to make the right decision on ownership of Araluen that will allow for a new long term lease by the Foundation, accompanied by a provision for guaranteed adequate financial support.
The Council has to lift its ban on street parking.
The public's safety and the future growth of Araluen has to be ensured by the purchase of land to the north.
What can you do?
LocallyIf you live, or have interests in Armadale, and you are not happy that your Council has passed a motion that seriously threatens Araluen Botanic Park's existence, please let them know.
Araluen Botanic Park is a major employer in Roleystone, the major tourist destination within Armadale and is responsible for generating significant trade in the region and injecting a significant amount of cash into the local economy.
Telephone one or more of your Councillors (listed below) or send an email to info@armadale.wa.gov.au or fax a letter to 9399 0184 or write to the City of Armadale's Mayor, Cr Linton Reynolds AM JP at City of Armadale, 7 Orchard Avenue, Armadale WA 6112.
If you do nothing you will help the Council kill off the award-winning local attraction, which has been the spectacularly beautiful and affordable escape from suburbia for generations of Western Australians.
Your Councillors are available to speak with you. Please telephone them between 7am and 8.30pm, Monday to Saturday and preferably not on a Sunday.
MAYOR Cr Linton Reynolds AM JP - 9390 7433
Cr Jim Stewart - 9497 9524
Cr Pat Hart - 9496 1634
Cr Laurie Scidone - 9496 0445
DEPUTY MAYOR Cr Jeff Munn JP CMC - 9397 1247
Cr June MacDonald - 9399 1738
Cr John Knezvich - 9497 1638
Cr Keith Lethbridge JP - 9399 5270
Cr Guenter Best - 9399 4371
Cr Bob Tizard - 9497 3469
Cr Jim Everts - 9399 6327
Cr Wayne Mauger - 9399 4798
Cr Ruth Butterfield - 9390 1459
Cr Henry Zelones - 9495 4073
State and Australia wide
No matter where you live, if you enjoy the Araluen experience and wish to support the work of the Foundation into the future, please let the State Government know that you are unhappy with the manner in which Araluen is currently being treated. Please help us secure the future of this special place for generations to come.
Please make your feelings known to your local member of State Parliament and to the Government Minister directly responsible The Hon. A. MacTiernan MLA at alannah.mactiernan@dpc.wa.gov.au Tel 9213 6400.
This 'Save Araluen' campaign is privately funded. If you'd like to support us by donating money or volunteering your time or skills to the campaign, please telephone 9496 1171.
Donations may be sent to:
'Save Araluen Botanic Park'362 Croyden Road, Roleystone WA 6111.
Thank you for your concern. Araluen was saved once by massive public support. It needs your help to do it again!