City makes its case

Staff met the LGAB last Wednesday morning to present their case for the City of Canning to remain as it is.

LGAB chairman Mel Congerton said the board was only at the start of its inquiry and it would be inappropriate for to frame any opinion at this stage.

‘I encourage people to make submissions before March 13,’ he said.

‘The board will look at all of the submissions that come in.

‘I do encourage people to provide information to support their views and comments.’

City of Canning commissioner Linton Reynolds said the meeting focused on Canning’s services and future governance of the City.

‘They showed genuine interest and I think our personal delivery of services resonated with the board,’ he said.

‘We think they came to the realisation that Canning is not like most councils.’

Mr Reynolds said staff would submit a new proposal by March 13 that went back to the original idea of keeping Canning as it is.

‘We basically told the board why our proposal is good and why his (Local Government Minister Tony Simpson) is bad,’ he said.

‘I want to say to the community that we’re running this campaign because you asked us to.’

City chief executive Lyn Russell said Canning already displayed the qualities of what the State Government considered an ideal council.

‘We got an excellent hearing and I think we surprised the board with what we had to say,’ she said.

‘What the Government decides on we will make it work, but we feel we are an exemplary example of the kind of council they want.’

With the Fight for Canning campaign now in full swing, Mr Reynolds urged residents to speak up.

‘This is the most important decision impacting the Canning community in the last 25 years,’ he said.

The City of Canning had received more than 600 petitions responding to the latest proposal.

To make a submission, visit www.fightforcanning.com.au.