Quick boundary decision wanted

“Without an announcement it just leaves it open to speculation and uncertainty,” petition organiser and North Fremantle resident Geoff Totterdell said.

Most of the petitioners live in the west end of Minim Cove development.

They claimed they did not get good services from Fremantle and used Mosman Park shops and facilities, prompting them to ask the State Government to change the councils’ border at the western end of McCabe Street at the end of last year.

Fremantle’s counter proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) requested the port city’s current boundary move about 400m east along McCabe Street, deep into the current jurisdiction of Mosman Park.

After an inquiry, the LGAB sent an undisclosed recommendation to Mr Simpson about 10 days ago.

Mr Totterdell said ratepayers were now “on edge”, with speculation Fremantle Council had an indication of the recommendation because of its recent work to finalise redevelopment rules for the Matilda Bay Brewery site next to the petitioners’ homes.

“And that would be unfortunate if that was the case because it was us which lodged the petition,” he said.

Mosman Park Council is concerned a delayed announcement will inhibit its upcoming 2016-17 budget talks and renewal of a garbage contract to be discussed at its meeting next week.

“If boundary change is to occur, we need to decide whether rubbish collection needs expanding to include that part of North Fremantle,” Mayor Ron Norris said,

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said his council would also like an announcement and it had not been given an indication of the LGAB’s recommendation.

The Matilda Bay Brewery planning was the result of “getting on with the business of local government and the staff doing their jobs”.

A spokeswoman said Mr Simpson had asked for additional information before making any decision, but there was no reply to whether the request was about the petitioners’ or Fremantle’s proposals and when an announcement was now expected.