Reform won’t prevent rebuild

Councillors agreed last week to push forward with the $7 million project and announce a successful tender, despite recent local government boundary changes that could merge the western suburbs’ seven councils in to one within two years.

Mayor Jock Barker said he initially had reservations about pushing forward with the project because of the reform announcement but the Town had kept Premier Colin Barnett and Local Government Minister Tony Simpson informed along the way.

‘I am not concerned that proceeding will interfere with or hinder the reform process because we have planned for possible changes in the design,’ Mr Barker said.

The Mayor, who is still campaigning for a G4 of Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove, said he will pitch the new Claremont building as the home of an amalgamated western suburbs council.

Cambridge Mayor Simon Withers said a decision on a new base had to be strategic and councils needed to think outside their own areas.

Mr Simpson said a committee would be formed to determine a new home.

The Government does not have a preference.