Amalgamations were high on the agenda with one resident labelling Premier Colin Barnett a ‘loose cannon’ while others expressed concern at having to possibly amalgamate with the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring.
Just over 30 residents attended the meeting where the annual report for 2012-13 was presented and residents asked questions of Mayor John Gangell and Chief Executive Bob Jarvis.
Some residents showed support for amalgamating with Bayswater, but said their preference was for an unchanged Town.
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READ NOWCr Gangell and Mr Jarvis said while that too was their preference, it was still the State Government’s decision to go ahead with the amalgamation of local governments, into councils with around 100,000 in population.
Bassendean’s options include merging with the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring or joining the City of Bayswater and a portion of the City of Stirling both totalling the required figure.
Other topics mentioned were a send-off for the Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service which recently officially closed its doors after a Department of Fire and Emergency Services decision to relocate the brigade to Forrestfield.
Bassendean MLA Dave Kelly described the amalgamation process as a fiasco but said he supported the Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and it was important for Council to thank the brigade for its work.
‘They certainly deserve our thanks,’ he said.
‘We fought a good fight but now that it has happened it would be good to say thanks.’
Cr Gangell said he had spoken to members of the brigade and would look at holding an event to thank them for their 102 years of service.