City of Swan to reduce number of council wards

COUNCILLORS have voted to reduce the number of wards in the City of Swan after a special meeting on Monday night.

Councillors resolved to reduce the number of wards from six to five and retain 15 councillors, combining the Ellenbrook ward and North ward to make Pearce ward, which would be represented by four councillors.

Under the changes Whiteman Park and Brabham will move from Altone ward to Ballajura ward, which will be renamed Whiteman ward; The Vines and Middle Swan ward will move to the Swan Valley/Gidgegannup ward and Jane Brook will move to Midland/Guildford ward.

Mayor Mick Wainwright said council spent a long time considering all options, including all public submissions, before making a decision.

“The City was asked to review its wards and representation by the Local Government Advisory Board after it was determined that there was an imbalance in the number of electors per Councillors across its wards,” he said.

“After a robust debate council was able to come up with a decision that will not only retain a ward structure, but ensure balanced representation for electors.”

The decision will now be sent in a report to the Local Government Advisory Board, which will make a recommendation to the Minister for Local Government, who will make the final decision.