Noranda: 25-year push to join City of Bayswater pays off

THE City of Bayswater’s takeover of Noranda went “surprisingly well” according to the City, who said feedback had been mainly positive.

After a 25-year push driven recently by Noranda Action Group, 537 households left the City of Swan to join the City of Bayswater on July 1.

The group prepared a 500-strong petition and submission for the Local Government Advisory Board, with the boundary change approved by the Local Government Minister earlier in the year.

Group member Doug McLennan, a long-term Noranda resident, said the transition had been “very smooth”.

“It’s good that it has actually happened, at long last,” he said.

“The rates went down, we saved about $300.”

Mr McLennan said there was some confusion when bin collection days changed and a green waste bin was added, but that had settled down now.

“It didn’t make sense, to be situated here and in the City of Swan,” he said.

“We’re so close to Bayswater and so far away from Swan that most of our involvement in the community has been with Bayswater.

“All of our schools, day care centres, playgrounds, community centres, recreation and sporting clubs, you go to those facilities and if you want anything done, you go and talk to the City of Bayswater.”

He said over the years Bayswater supported the transfer, but Swan wanted a part of northern Morley in return, which “killed our aspirations”.

Mayor Barry McKenna said the City had received “overwhelming positive feedback” from Noranda residents.

“Aside from some minor confusion over bin days, I think it is safe to say residents have made a smooth and easy transition over from the City of Swan,” he said.

“It actually went surprisingly well.”

As of next year, Noranda playgrounds at Luderman Park, Bohemia Park and Ivory Park will be included in the City’s playground renewal program.

There was also potential for new bollards, irrigation and dog-friendly drink fountains to be installed at the parks.

Noranda residents can now order up to three skip bins a year, instead of having bulk verge collection.