Councils at odds over reform plans

Under local government reform, Inglewood would move from the City of Stirling to the proposed Bayswater-Bassendean council.

Mr Clyne, who has been a City of Stirling resident for 30 years, said he received promotional letters from both councils as part of their amalgamation campaigns.

‘Stirling has deeper pockets, using a fear campaign that heritage listed properties in Inglewood and part of Mt Lawley to be excised will not be protected,’ he said.

‘I think Bayswater has to counter the Stirling campaigns’ fear mongering and show what they have done for their residents and what they can do for the new ones.’

The 61-year-old said the City of Stirling was too big and that the reform would mean better customer service, three-bin rubbish collection and a smaller council to hear residents’ concerns.

Bayswater Mayor Sylvan Albert said the City had fielded calls from Stirling residents expressing anger and bewilderment at a City of Stirling letter opposing local government reform.

‘The letter left some residents under the impression their suburb name would change and they would be joining a mythical Greater Morley Council,’ he said.

‘To put it kindly, the claims in the letter are ridiculous and appear to have been worded so as to mislead.

‘Our approach to the reform process differs from the City of Stirling, as we have concentrated on trying to achieve the best outcome for our community, rather than on protecting our turf.’

Cr Albert said he would like to set the record straight on some of Stirling’s ‘misleading’ claims.

‘The City of Bayswater has no intention of closing libraries or recreation facilities,’ he said.

‘When we inherited the old Maylands Library from the City of Stirling it was run down.

‘We did not close it, but as part of a new $21 million community hub for residents we included a modern, state-of-the-art library that receives nothing but praise from users.’