Not Simpson’s call: Moore

‘Simpson said he was just following his instructions from Barnett,’ Mr Moore said, after meeting Mr Simpson, the Darling Downs MLA, in June. ‘He just said he’d got a job to do and he’s going to do it,’ Mr Moore said.

The State Government’s borders merge Subiaco, Nedlands, Claremont, Cambridge, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove councils with North Fremantle, Wembley Downs, Churchlands and part of Woodlands.

At the announcement, Mr Simpson limited opportunities to change the proposed borders in councils’ submissions to the Local Government Advisory Board by October 4. Asked at the announcement why he had given Claremont, Cambridge and Subiaco councils impressions they would have expanded councils, including a G4 centred on Claremont, Mr Barnett said it was ‘a shame’ 69 western suburbs councillors had fought each other and neighbouring councils without a solution to reform for three years.

‘Perth used to be orientated from Fremantle to Perth to Midland, and it now goes north-south from Joondalup to Mandurah, so this (border) plan is about providing the long-term development of Perth in terms of planning, metropolitan places of employment, rail and road planning and infrastructure,’ Mr Barnett said.

Claremont is pressing on with its three-week-old request to the board for a smaller G4 centred on his town, despite Mr Simpson telling Claremont Mayor Jock Barker any submission must ‘tie in’ with the Government’s plans.

‘We have a submission on with the board and despite what Mr Simpson says we’ll expect it to be dealt with according to law,’ Mr Barker said. He will urge all his sitting councillors to run at October elections.

Mr Simpson said rational, well-argued minor changes could be made, and two new members to the four-member board would be appointed.