Council backs Anzac bus service

Access to Rockingham’s Anzac Day dawn service will be easier next year, with the City of Rockingham council backing a motion to provide a bus service to the event.

More and more people are seemingly keen to pay their respects on April 25 each year, but early morning parking close to the Village Green has become an issue as a result.

Councillor Joy Stewart has campaigned for a shuttle bus from the Rae Road parking station to the Waterfront Village precinct or other identified locations close to proceedings.

This aims to ease the issue and ensure the community’s elderly residents have an easier way of getting to the service.

Cr Stewart said she was happy the service would now be available and that it would make the morning that bit easier for people who had previously struggled to attend.

“One of my top priorities as a councillor is being a voice for the less fortunate members of our community, such as seniors and people living with disability,” she said.

“Everyone should be able to access and participate in the same activities and services as others regardless of their ability.

“This shuttle bus service will enable so many more people in the community to be able to pay tribute to the first Anzacs and all the brave servicemen and women who have followed in their footsteps.”

Seniors Committee member Ron Pease said the bus service was good news.

“At the minute people have to walk a long way, so it is great that the City is trying to alleviate that problem — there are a lot of older people that just can’t get here,” he said.

“I think people think twice if they have to come down and park — if they can park at a central point and get a bus it is going to make it much easier.”

Retired businessman Rob Overington said he and his wife would be able to attend in 2018 thanks to the bus service.

“My wife has arthritis and can’t walk, so we didn’t attend last year,” he said.

“If there is a little bump in the road she could fall.

“Now that there is a bus service we feel more confident going.”