Cr Gangell addressed councillors and members of the public at last week’s council meeting, saying last month’s announcement was the worst-case scenario for the Town.
‘It’s a boundary adjustment which means by and large, in simple terms, it’s basically a straight takeover from the City of Bayswater come July 1 next year,’ he said.
‘The council will cease to operate come June 30 and with there being a boundary adjustment and not an amalgamation the people from Bassendean will not get a vote for the future of the Town.’
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READ NOWCr Gangell told the Reporter further meetings with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson on Wednesday and the Local Implementation Committee (LIC) on Thursday shed no light on the issue in regard to possible ward structures.
‘After last week’s blink-and- you’ll-miss-it announcement, we were told we had an opportunity for question and answers the following week,’ he said.
‘I was outraged that we were allowed 30 minutes maximum to have questions answered. I think in all six questions were asked. Neither Bayswater nor I got the chance to ask questions, therefore our area missed out again.’
Cr Gangell said he hoped this Thursday’s meeting with LIC would allow for a public meeting on December 11 so that residents from Bassendean, Bayswater and Stirling could have their say.
‘I called for a public meeting to be held within the City of Bayswater and if Bayswater are not inclined to hold the forum then Bassendean will pay for the cost to hold the public meeting there,’ he said.
‘I’m furious. Our Town has been very compliant with the ward process and this community is continuing to be railroaded in every aspect of this announcement.’
If a ward structure could not be implemented, Cr Gangell said he would consider legal action. The City of Bayswater will hold a special meeting tomorrow to decide on whether it will hold the December 11 meeting.