Positive spin on merger

The Little Pantry owner, who has nominated for a position on the City of Subiaco council, said amalgamating western suburbs councils would encourage growth, recourses and a proactive ‘big picture’ mentality.

‘This is an incredible opportunity so I am very disappointed with Subiaco for putting so much doom and gloom to it,’ she said.

‘Retail and hospitality are in dire straits at the moment and there are shops on Rokeby Road desperately treading water waiting to be saved.

‘From a small business perspective, we are working really hard to keep our business going so it is honestly very disappointing to see the City spending money on fruitless arguments.’

At a special council meeting to discuss local government reform last month, resident Angela Hammersley said she was not opposed to merger as a principle but there was no evidence to show it would improve society.

‘My gut feeling is that the frustrations and inefficiencies experienced by the business world in dealing with local government could be better addressed by leaving the current administrations in place but standardising regulation where appropriate,’ Ms Hammersley said.

Ms Kesic said she believed the people making a fuss about amalgamations were the ‘noisy few’ such as members of Save Our Subiaco and did not represent what residents and business owners actually wanted.

‘The majority of my customers have told me they are fed up and looking for a change,’ she said.

‘It’s well known that Subiaco council has a bad rap as being anti-development.

‘People need to understand that if we don’t allow for growth then tenants will leave, property prices will drop and lesser quality shops will move in. The beloved village vibe and ‘blue chip’ suburb will disappear.’

Catherine Street resident Ines Janca said she was concerned rates would go up and the community would lose its identity and character.

‘Seemingly there will be an enormous potential loss of assets, amenity and democratic rights for the populace,’ Ms Janca said.

‘If it aint broke, don’t fix it ” make it better instead.’