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MP repeats attack on waste of money

Staff ReporterHills Avon Valley Gazette

The shire recently joined forces with the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale and the City of Subiaco to take legal action against the State Government in a bid to stop amalgamations.

Mr Day was critical of the shire spending $80,000 to hold a community poll last year regarding an amalgamation between itself, the Shire of Mundaring and the City of Swan, a move that is no longer on the cards.

At the time, Mr Day said the poll was ‘a waste of time and money’ and suggested that if the shire continued to waste money, the State Government would be ‘less enthusiastic’ to help it financially in future.

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He said he still did not support the council’s spending.

‘Any contribution of funds by the Shire of Kalamunda to the legal action is a decision for the council, and for it to justify to its ratepayers.

‘In my view, there are better things on which to spend ratepayers’ money,’ he said.

Mr Day reiterated that he was lobbying for fairness in the amalgamation process.

‘As I have previously advised, my intention is to ensure that any reform of local governments, including Kalamunda and Mundaring, is undertaken on a fair and equitable basis,’ he said.

Shire President Sue Bilich remained tight lipped about potential legal costs to pursue the case.

‘There are a number of different factors which can impact on costs associated with legal advice and/or any legal action which may be proposed in the future,’ she said.

She said it was the shire’s duty to stand up for its electors.

‘They have clearly expressed they do not support any form of amalgamation,’ she said.

‘These forced amalgamations deny our communities a vote, they are unfair and undemocratic and we will continue our fight to retain Kalamunda as a sustainable local government in its own right,’ the president said.