Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones.
Camera IconArmadale Mayor Henry Zelones. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Stand up against board: Mayor

Staff ReporterComment News

Last Monday the LGAB met with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and City of Armadale to present a new proposal which would see the City of Armadale take over the entire Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire.

The Shire was going to be split with the northern part going to the City of Armadale and the southern part going to the Shire of Murray.

Mayor Henry Zelones said the meeting was a complete surprise and he was disappointed the LGAB had not supported the proposal submitted by City of Armadale, the Shire of Murray and Minister for Local Government Tony Simpson.

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‘We are absolutely sure that the best outcome for the communities of all affected councils is for the boundary to be at Mundijong Road,’ he said.

‘Armadale residents have trusted the council and the government to get it right. This new proposal might need the community to stand up and express its view.

‘This has been going on long enough.’

Mr Zelones said the board came up with its own proposal, based on financial analysis from the State Treasury Department, but did not offer facts and figures.

He said the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale was too big for the City to take over.

‘It’s a big area, there’s more costs involved,’ he said.

‘Until someone shows us the financials, we are rolling onto something we don’t know.

‘We’ve done all the work. I can understand the frustration of both the staff and our community who felt confident we were on the road to a sensible solution.

‘This throws more uncertainty and I can only hope the Shire of Murray and the City can convince the LGAB to reconsider.’

Mr Zelones said the Armadale and Murray councils will attempt to change the LGAB’s view before making its recommendation to the minister at the end of August.

Maps, an online form and other details are on the Department of Local Government and Communities website at www.dlgc.wa.gov.au/MetroInquiries.