City of Perth commissioners to oversee first meeting on March 15

THE first City of Perth special meeting to be chaired by three commissioners replacing the council is set for Thursday, March 15.

The commissioners, including Andrew Hammond and Gaye McMath and led by retiring WA Planning Commission chairperson Eric Lumsden, were appointed Tuesday.

Mr Lumsden said one of the first decisions to be made would be regarding whether the suspended councillors would continue to be paid.

“(None of the councillors have lobbied to keep their pay) and I would not entertain it,” he said.

When asked if the commissioners would be making decisions on potentially controversial development proposals, or simply steering the ship, Mr Lumsden said “both”.

“I’ve never been afraid of making difficult decisions, I’ve always been apolitical in my entire public service career, I’ve always advised councillors and ministers,” he said.

“We won’t be procrastinating but we will make decisions after receiving appropriate information so we can make informed decisions, not seat of the pants decisions.”

Mr Lumsden said he would be concerned if any factions between staff became apparent.

“I want to make it clear that we expect all staff to the best of the City to give fierce and frank advice and that it comes up in an appropriate way with the commissioners for consideration,” he said.

“In the event they can’t do that, would be of concern to the commissioners.”

Local Government Minister David Templeman said he was still establishing an inquiry panel for an authorised inquiry to be undertaken by his department.

He said there was no timeline set.

Commissioner meetings will be open to the public.

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