Municipalities unite to face the future

The councils want to establish a joint taskforce in response to the State Government’s amalgamation plans.

At a special meeting last Tuesday, South Perth endorsed the formation of a joint taskforce, while the Town of Victoria Park approved a report at its May ordinary council meeting.

The joint taskforce will examine resource sharing and boundary adjustments relating to a combined municipality.

‘The establishment of the joint taskforce would put the City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park in a better strategic position to both influence and respond to State Government amalgamation plans,’ City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty said.

The joint taskforce consists of representatives from each local authority, including respective mayors, chief executives and two elected members.

They will consider the important elements relating to a potential amalgamation and report back to each council with updates of progress.

The findings will be presented to each local government no later than July 31.

Mrs Doherty said South Perth had a close relationship with the Town of Victoria Park and the formation of the joint taskforce would further enhance the bond.

‘It is disappointing that the State Government had known about the recommendations of the Robson Report for a year and had not provided direction to local government during this time,’ she said.

‘The lack of direction has generated an unacceptable level of uncertainty within metropolitan area local governments.’

Victoria Park Mayor Trevor Vaughan said the two councils preferred to pre-determine their future rather than be directed, and potentially forced, to amalgamate. He said it could mean areas being hived off and community identity lost.

‘This scenario planning will place the two councils in the best position,’ the mayor said.