Mayor John Gangell faces the media.
Camera IconMayor John Gangell faces the media. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

Mix of wins, losses and acceptance

Staff ReporterStirling Times

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson released plans to expand the City of Bayswater to include the Town of Bassendean and parts of the cities of Stirling and Swan at the local government amalgamation announcement last week.

Morley would be the regional centre and include an additional area west of the existing City of Bayswater to Alexandra Drive and Noranda.

Bayswater Mayor Terry Kenyon welcomed the plans and said they ‘somewhat mirrored’ the City’s submissions on local government reform, preventing his City from being ‘swallowed up’.

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He said the merger was logical with major roads and arterial highways set to become the City boundaries.

‘The merger will see the creation of a larger, more viable local government,’ Cr Kenyon said.

‘We will work to ensure that as part of a larger City, the heritage, character and uniqueness of all of the communities are protected and will continue to be celebrated.’

Cr Kenyon said the major wins in additional facilities and services for the City would be Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, Mt Lawley Golf Course and Edith Cowan University.

Bassendean Mayor John Gangell was disappointed his Town’s plan to merge with the City of Swan was rejected, saying the Government had ‘completely betrayed’ the local community with a forced amalgamation.

‘The fact that the Government said there wouldn’t be a forced amalgamation is a lie,’ he said.

‘The Government ignored local communities and ignored suggestions from local government.’

Despite their differing views on amalgamation, Cr Gangell said he was prepared to work with Cr Kenyon on getting the best outcome for their residents.

The two councils were set to form a joint amalgamation implementation committee. ‘Moving forward we’ve got to make sure we get the best results for our community and we’ll be going into the meetings to ensure we can maintain as many services and facilities that we have in our Town for the future of our residents,’ Cr Gangell said.

‘It’s in nobody’s interest to have Cr Kenyon and I at loggerheads with one another ” we have to go into it to get the best results for both of our communities.

‘I’m more concerned about what we can do while we’re still an individual entity to make sure our facilities will be able to remain for decades to come and not be jeopardised when the amalgamation occurs in 2015.’

The City and Town will meet over coming weeks and submit a final merger proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board by October 14.