Act a concern, says Subi Mayor

Her comments came as the Act was introduced to Parliament last week. If supported it would have more than 1000 residents in a crossover section of Nedlands and Subiaco councils along with the University of WA, QEII Medical Centre and Kings Park forced to be part of the City of Perth.

"Both the council and our community are extremely concerned about the proposed City of Perth Act," Ms Henderson said.

"This is a forced boundary adjustment without the promised consultation or the right to a poll."

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson said it was time for the river front councils to move on. "Under the current legislation, if you dissolve more than two districts they are entitled to a poll," he said.

"As this is a boundary adjustment there will be no poll. The important part here is that people in the area of Subiaco will live in the same house, same street, keep the same postcode and based on the differential dollar will end up with cheaper rates and the same amount of services."

A survey titled Hands off Subiaco – City of Perth Takeover found that 97 per cent of 140 Subiaco south ward residents opposed being included in the Act.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said she was aware of residents� concerns and aimed to deliver the kind of local government services that they expected.

"We respect their loyalty to their local government but we will certainly be there for them with lower rates and high quality services," she said.

Ms Henderson said it was not all about institution and services.

"Our concern is for the residents and their sense of community and belonging which, once lost, cannot be regained," she said.

"These residents have been a strong part of the Subiaco community for more than 100 years and the results of the residents" survey are resounding " Subiaco is where they want to stay."

Ms Henderson said she would be urging Parliament to closely scrutinise the Act, which would have boundary changes taking effect from July next year.