A community divided

Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said it was likely rates payable by Wattle Grove residents would be different if they joined the City of Gosnells.

“This is because the City of Gosnells and Shire of Kalamunda are likely to have different rates in the dollar,” he said.

Mr Cowie said there would be no change to the rates payable by City of Gosnells residents as a result of the boundary change.

He said at this stage the City had not received any valuations for the Wattle Grove properties held by the Shire of Kalamunda.

Mr Cowie said the City of Gosnells would now await the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) recommendation on what it determined were the best boundaries.

Long-term Wattle Grove businessman Dick Lovegrove said the push to move Wattle Grove’s boundaries into Gosnells came from a “few disgruntled ratepayers” and was dishonest, selfish and duplicitous in its execution.

“The underlying issue here is the urbanisation of the Wattle Grove area and the proposed aged care facility,” Mr Lovegrove said.

“These issues have split our community for over a decade.”

Shire of Kalamunda President Andrew Waddell said the date for the submissions was closed and the LGAB was now deliberating on the decision and would make its findings in April.

“I predict something like a 7 per cent rate increase for Gosnells if this goes ahead and for those left behind a 2.5 per cent rate increase to cover the rateable land that’s been lost for the rest of the Shire,” Cr Waddell said.

“LGAB listened to the community at the public meeting and encouraged people to put in their written submissions.”

Mr Lovegrove said he hoped common sense would prevail.