THE City of Cockburn has adopted the document it will submit to the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) as part of the consultation process into the Greater Fremantle campaign.
Unsurprisingly the 45 page report, backed by councillors at a meeting on Thursday night, reflects the City’s objection to the community-led push to have the City of Fremantle’s borders extended to include Hamilton Hill and part of North Coogee.
Among the City’s reasons for rejecting the idea included a lack of support from affected ratepayers, the financial implications and because it does not meet recommendations from WA Local Government Association put forward after the recent State-led reform push.
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READ NOWSpeaking on Thursday, Cockburn’s deputy mayor Carol Reeve-Fowkes highlighted the extra work and costs associated with producing the Council’s submission.
She suggested the City lobby the relevant State Government departments to change the amount of signatures needed to trigger the reform process from 250 to at least 10 per cent of affected residents.Greater Fremantle convenor Adin Lang believed Thursday night’s meeting seemed pointless, considering the resources spent by the Council to conserve their boundaries.
He also felt the campaign had become personal and believed he was singled out in the City’s submission.
“It’s the old football analogy: play the ball not the man,” he said.
“After throwing all their resources behind their campaign they’re still playing the man rather than looking at the facts.
“Cockburn must be getting desperate because they know the Greater Freo submission makes sense and Hamilton Hill and North Coogee should be returned back to Freo.”
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday evening in Hilton where both sides will have the opportunity to state their cases.
What: LGAB public hearing into the Greater Fremantle push
Why: The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for interested parties to express their views on the relevant proposal to the LGAB
Where: Fremantle PCYC, 34 Paget Street, Hilton
When: Wednesday October 5 at 7pm
Information: Contact the LGAB on (08) 6552 1733 or email advisory.board@dlgc.wa.gov.au