A crowded South Perth Community Hall where speakers on the controversial topic of local government reform included City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty.
Camera IconA crowded South Perth Community Hall where speakers on the controversial topic of local government reform included City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Communities at the crossroads

Susanne Reilly, Southern GazetteSouthern Gazette

Emotions ran high as South Perth MLA John McGrath, Victoria Park MLA Ben Wyatt and former Legislative Council president Clive Griffiths spoke.

Mayor Sue Doherty expressed disappointment at the Local Government Minister’s proposal to amend the boundaries of the Town of Victoria Park by abolishing the City of South Perth, saying ‘the minister has picked a fight with us’.

If the proposal goes ahead, the Town would take over the City and leave South Perth residents with no elected member representation for about four months.

The three key speakers shared their views on the reform process and urged residents to have their say while they could.

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Mrs Doherty explained the shock at discovering the City would be disestablished.

‘The minister told us to keep doing what we were doing’