Dr Pettitt’s statement comes after details of the amalgamations were leaked late last week ahead of a meeting between local government mayors and chief executives in Cockburn today.
Dr Pettitt said he did not support amalgamation of councils with communities that had little in common.
‘It is a disappointing outcome and misses the opportunity for real reform, based around strong and coherent communities of interest,’ Dr Pettitt said.
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READ NOWHe said Fremantle Council would continue to fight, with an alternative boundary option and evidence to support it.
However, Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett has thrown his support behind a Cockburn-Kwinana union ahead of the announcement on local government reform, saying the two councils were well placed to merge.
‘If the merger is announced, it will be a matter of sitting around a table and getting on with the job,’ Mr Howlett said.
‘It will take a mammoth effort and we will have to put in the hours to bring about the change that will best service the community.’
Town of East Fremantle acting Mayor Alex Wilson declined to comment on the proposed changes.