City of Melville Proposal

ALTERNATIVE SUBMISSION (PROPOSAL 3) TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY BOARD TO AMEND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF MELVILLE

MELVILLE (MINUS BICTON PALMYRA) PLUS PARTS OF LEEMING IN CANNING AND COCKBURN, WILLETTON, ROSSMOYNE, SHELLEY, RIVERTON, PARKWOOD AND CANNING VALE, AND COOLBELLUP, NORTH LAKE AND BIBRA LAKE (the area bounded by the rail line to Stock Road)

September 2013

Page 1 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Alternative Proposal (Proposal 3)

This proposal is forwarded if the State Government Blueprint is not followed and more than 14 local governments are created retaining an enlarged City of Fremantle.

We understand that the City of Fremantle will put in a non-conforming proposal that will adversely impact the City of Melville . Fremantle’s proposal is inconsistent with the Cabinet agreed position, and is not the preferred option for the City of Melville on the basis that the City of Melville have attempted to be compliant with the State Government’s Blueprint. However, if the scenario presented by the City of Fremantle is accepted then the City of Melville will be severely impacted and the City will need to consider the impacts and ensure the Melville community is not worse off now and into the future. This alternative proposal is forwarded on that basis.

The City of Melville is aware of a submission by the City of Fremantle where the City of Fremantle (Fremantle) proposes:

1. The abolition of the City of Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle to create a new local government; 2. A change to the eastern boundary to align it with Stock Road (a). annexing Bicton and Palmyra to the newly created local government); (b). excluding Samson and part of O’Connor to the east of Stock Road – transferring this land to the City of Melville; and 3. A change to the southern boundary where the new boundary would incorporate the localities of Hamilton Hill (excluding Manning Park) and North Coogee; and 4. A change to the western boundary to incorporate Rottnest Island.

Fremantle’s proposal to annex the suburbs of Bicton and Palmyra from Melville targets the historical roots of Melville. The Melville Roads Board was gazetted on 5 January 1901. Monthly meetings of the Melville Roads Board were held in Board member’s homes, at the Canning Bridge Hotel (later the Raffles), at the Hotel Melville - later the Majestic Hotel (Majestic Point Applecross), and at the Leopold Hotel (Bicton). In 1913 the Melville Roads Board Office was constructed at the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway in Palmyra. In 1968 the administrative offices of the City of Melville were relocated to the current Civic Centre. Melville was proclaimed a Shire in 1961, a Town in 1962 and a City after 1968.

Fremantle’s proposal would also result in the City of Melville losing care, control and management of its largest parcel of public open space, the 70 hectare Point Walter Reserve in Bicton. Point Walter Reserve has strong historical links to the City of Melville having been vested to the then Melville Roads Board on 31 August 1900.

Page 2 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

It is the City’s premier Reserve and is home to the major community events of the year for the City of Melville due to its capacity to host 10 to 12,000 people. The City would be left without any similar land areas suitable for these community events to occur. Point Walter Reserve also is home to the Point Walter Golf Course - the only Public golf course within the current boundaries of the City of Melville.

If adopted, Fremantle’s proposal would result in a net loss of rate revenue (after swapping Bicton/Palmyra for Fremantle’s Samson and part of O’Connor) of approximately $8.5 million and will have less capacity to support future challenges such as the developments of Canning Bridge, Riseley Centre and the Murdoch Activity Centre (proposed largest CBD outside of the Perth CBD), etc. Without compensating net rate revenue increases the City of Melville would be less financially sustainable than it currently is. Due to this and the loss of important social infrastructure and historical links it is not considered that these changes would be in the best interests of the City’s electors, ratepayers and residents and is contrary to the objectives of Local Government Reform espoused by the Government.

We understand that Fremantle see strong parallels between the City of Perth and the City of Fremantle. Fremantle argue that the City of Perth should focus on the consolidation and growth of the heart of the City, with the inclusion of “iconic” activities such as the University of Western Australia, the QEII medical precinct and the Casino and Stadium on the Burswood Peninsular. Fremantle argues that this conclusion is equally relevant for their City as it is Perth’s second City. They have also publically argued that Fremantle is recognised both nationally and internationally as a primary gateway to the Metropolitan area and a significant, historical and working Port City.

The City of Melville understands the position taken by the City of Fremantle however, believes that some of the problems perceived by Fremantle should they be required to merge with Melville, would in fact be strengths. For instance the fact that a combined City of Fremantle-Melville would encompass the Strategic Regional Centre of Fremantle, the Specialist Activity Centre of Murdoch, the Secondary Melville City Centre (Garden City Booragoon) and the transport orientated Canning Bridge precinct, means that one decision making body would be responsible for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each of those areas and determining how they compliment rather than compete against each other and strengthening transport links between them.

The City of Melville recognises the historical connections to the Fremantle name and would not seek to impose any other name on the area. Fremantle area will always be known as Fremantle regardless of what the name of the political and administrative body responsible for governing it is.

Page 3 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

The City of Melville notes the publicly expressed concerns of some Fremantle residents that in becoming part of a larger City, Fremantle’s “uniqueness” will be lost. The City of Melville’s community development model recognises and responds positively to differences that occur in communities. For its part in the context of a larger organisation the City would wish to build on the strengths of the current Fremantle community and assist it with achieving its objectives including the preservation of Fremantle’s historical assets.

Should the City of Fremantle’s proposal be supported by the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) and agreed to by the State Government, it would necessitate amendments to the other boundaries to preserve the City of Melville’s financial security.

This proposal involves two boundary adjustments to ensure that should the LGAB and State Government agree to the retention and expansion of the City of Fremantle, the City of Melville’s community remains sustainable,

Adjustment A - ceding the suburbs of Bicton and Palmyra to Stock Road to a City of Fremantle and adding the complete suburbs of Leeming, Rossmoyne, Riverton, Shelley, Willetton, Parkwood, the Canning Vale Industrial area in Canning to the City of Melville to augment the City of Greater Melville by boundary adjustment, and;

Adjustment B – in addition adding the complete suburbs of Coolbellup, North Lake, Bibra Lake and the Commonwealth Lands comprising Jandakot airport from the current City of Cockburn to augment the City of Melville by boundary adjustment.

Adjustment C – A change in Fremantle’s south-eastern boundary to align it with Stock Road, which cedes the suburbs of Samson and part of O’Connor to the east of Stock Road – by transferring this land to the City of Melville.

Page 4 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Table 1: Population for City of Melville – Adjustments A, B and C

Area 2012 Population 2026 Population

Melville 104 265 121 781

Less Bicton/Palmyra (To -14 284 -16 683 Fremantle)

Add Samson & part O’Connor 1 900(est) 1 900(est) Industrial (From Fremantle)

Willetton 18 220 21 058

Riverton-Shelley-Rossmoyne 14 349 16 400

Leeming ex Canning 500 500

Parkwood 6 129 6 558

Canning Vale (Industrial) 0 0

Coolbellup (From Cockburn) 5 240 5 362

Bibra Lake (From Cockburn) 6 369 6 457

North Lake (From Cockburn) 1 336 1 526

Jandakot Airport 0 0

Total 144 654 164 859

Note: 2012 Population taken from ABS 3218.0 released August 30, 2013 2026 Population taken from WA Tomorrow Population Report 7 released February 2012. Growth in Canning is 15% from 2012 to 2026 for Band C. Willetton and Riverton-Shelley-Rossmoyne estimated using 15% growth from 2012 to 2026. City of Melville 2026 figure is based on projecting existing 1.2% growth per annum.

Rationale

The boundary adjustments will be the outcome of substantial review into the current and future roles of local government in metropolitan Perth. The underpinning reasons for this particular augmentation are:

Page 5 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

1. The State retains the City of Fremantle as an additional local government in the metropolitan area to the proposed 14 nominated in the State’s Blueprint necessitating boundary changes to ensure the City of Melville remains viable.

2. The augmented local government will ultimately be almost consistent with the scale sought by the Metropolitan Review Panel Report (Robson Report) and the State Government Blueprint. The listing of the new local governments in Table 2 shows that the result will be a medium sized local government in 2026.

3. Management, development and protection of the Swan and Canning Rivers will be simplified by a single local government covering foreshore areas previously involving two local governments.

4. The development of the Murdoch Activity Centre will be better supported by the scale and geography of the augmented local government.

5. The areas proposed as part of the augmentation are all impacted by the Perth Urban Transport and Freight Corridor that links Kewdale to the Fremantle Ports. Development of major transport infrastructure needed over the next 15 years will be facilitated by the augmentation.

6. Long term transport planning has identified significant Tier 2 public transport routes through the areas to be combined. The development of these routes will be made simpler by the augmentation.

7. The augmented local government have common ecology, landforms and river frontages with similar environmental challenges. It will be entirely located on the Swan Coastal Plain with soil formations ranging from thin sands over limestone, deep yellow sands and deep grey sands. Much of the area was marginal for agriculture with market gardening limited to wetland areas.

8. The augmented local government is expected to result in improved financial viability; a broader rate base; improved economies of scale; reduced duplication; better use of resources and facilities; a broader range of services for the community; expanded organisational capacity; improved career paths for staff and greater capability.

9. The Kewdale-Fremantle railway line to Stock Road is a natural boundary between Local Governments.

Page 6 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Name of Augmented Body

A range of options were considered for the name of the new augmented local government. Indigenous names that could be suitable related to the aboriginal people that moved across the entire area or pelicans that were prevalent along the foreshore:

Beeliar: A group of 60 to 90 aboriginal people that had rights to move across the southern metropolitan area. It is already used as the name of a suburb in Cockburn and a regional park within Melville, Cockburn and Kwinana.

Bulladarlung or Nyergarup: Place of Pelicans

Doontanboro: Name for Melville Water meaning Pelican River

Naming options that related to European history include:

Moreau: French name for the mouth of the Canning River

Baudin: After Captain Nicholas Baudin who explored the Swan River in 1801

The preferred option is that the name of the City of Melville remains unchanged and be adopted and that ultimately the community select the new name.

Funding for Amalgamation

The cost of developing the combined local government will be determined by the Local Implementation Committee. It is expected that adequate funding will be allocated by the State Government to support the sequential boundary adjustment process.

Principles and Key Actions

The City of Melville proposes that it takes a lead role and that the outcome is achieved by a boundary adjustment process.

Page 7 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

The following principles and key actions are recommended to support the efficient augmentation:

1. The augmentation proceed as a boundary adjustment process.

2. By July 2015 complete;

a. Adjustment A - ceding the suburbs of Bicton and Palmyra to Stock Road to a Greater City of Fremantle and adding the complete suburbs of Leeming, Rossmoyne, Riverton, Shelley, Willetton, Parkwood, the Canning Vale

Industrial area in Canning to the City of Melville to augment the City of Greater Melville by boundary adjustment, and;

b. Adjustment B - in addition adding the complete suburbs of Coolbellup, North Lake, Bibra Lake and the Commonwealth Lands comprising Jandakot airport from the current City of Cockburn to augment the Greater City of Melville by boundary adjustment, and,

c. Adjustment C - a change in Fremantle’s south-eastern boundary to align it with Stock Road, which cedes the suburbs of Samson and part of O’Connor to the east of Stock Road – by transferring this land to the City of Melville

3. The method of electing the Mayor be by popular election.

4. There be an elector to elected member imbalance for up to two election cycles after 2015.

5. Adequate funding being allocated by the State Government to support the funding process.

6. The name of the augmented local government be the City of Melville.

Page 8 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Table 2: Scale of Local Governments identified in the State Government Blueprint

NEW LGA POPULATION POPULATION RANK NOW 2026 2026

Wanneroo 169,000 278,000 1

Stirling and part Vincent 205,000 225,000 2

Mundaring and Swan 157,000 218,000 3

Canning and Gosnells 184,000 215,000 4

Joondalup 164,000 188,000 5

Cockburn and Kwinana 132,000 183,000 6

Rockingham 114,000 173,000 7

East Fremantle, Fremantle, Melville and part 157,000 164,000 8 Canning

Proposal 3 including parts of Fremantle, 144 654 164 859 8 Canning and Cockburn

Armadale and Serpentine-Jarrahdale 89,000 132,000 9

Western Suburbs 113,000 124,000 10

Bassendean and Bayswater 109,000 118,000 11

Belmont and Kalamunda 97,000 104,000 12

South Perth and Victoria Park 88,000 100,000 13

Perth and part Vincent 29,000 56,000 14

Wards and Representation

As this proposal is not consistent with the State Government’s Blueprint a Ward and Representation analysis has not been completed.

Page 9 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Fair Treatment of Existing Employees

All permanent employees whose place of employment is within the geographic area impacted by the boundary adjustment will be provided with a two year guarantee of employment as is required under the Local Government Act (1995) and Regulations, subject to continuing satisfactory performance from the date of creating the new local government expected in July 2015.

Employees who are under contract whose contract terms expire after the date of this submission should have a new contract for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years under terms no less favourable than their existing contract.

Local Governance

The boundary adjustment process will not need commissioners which will allow for full local governance of the process.

Local Implementation Committee

A Local Implementation Committee (LIC) will operate to facilitate the boundary adjustments. The LIC is expected to be comprised of the following members:

Chair: Mayor of Melville

Deputy Chair: Deputy Mayor of Melville

Members: Mayor or equivalent from City of Canning, one councillor from the Cities of both Melville and Cockburn, CEO’s from the Cities of Melville, Cockburn and Canning and one representative from the Department of Local Government.

Boundaries of Amalgamated Body and Anomalies

The boundaries of the augmented body will be;

The Swan River, Canning River, Bannister Brook, High Road, Nicholson Road, Kewdale – Cockburn Railway Line, Ken Hurst Park, Jandakot Commonwealth Lands boundary, Kewdale – Cockburn Railway line, Stock Road plus the small portion of the suburb with the Erceg Road boundary which fall just outside the Kewdale – Cockburn Railway Line as shown in the map.

Page 10 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Information relating to the Local Government Advisory Board Guiding Principles

The Board’s Guiding Principles form the basis for considering any changes to boundaries and takes into account the factors set out in the Act.

Principle 1 - Community of Interests Community of Interests includes parts of a district that share common interests, values, characteristics and issues giving rise to a separate sense of identity or community. Factors contributing to a sense of identity or community include shared interest and shared use of community facilities. For example, sporting, leisure and library facilities create a focus for the community.

The City of Melville uses an asset based community development model. This model views places, different groups and organisations, facilities, and people as assets in a community context. It is also a strength based approach which views assets as strengths to build upon. It means they seek to optimize community strengths rather than ‘fix’ or focus on community deficits.

The City also adheres to a neighbourhood/place based approach and currently recognises four neighbourhoods within the City. They recognise that neighbourhoods are different, and have different assets and qualities. This is reflected in the City’s Neighbourhood Plans. This work was undertaken following their Strategic Community Planning process and acknowledges any differences in neighbourhoods determines different responses to community issues. In essence they ‘tailor-make’ responses to fit each neighbourhood.

In a boundary adjustment process the City would use these approaches to recognise diversity in communities; respect these differences; map current community assets; work to strengthen such community assets to build community capacity. Where they have undertaken such work identities of communities are strengthened – Willagee is a good example of distinct communities rich in their individual community assets and with high levels of community engagement.

The City identifies and recognises community hub locations that are key places in each neighbourhood. Community hubs see several community functions operating from one location, either in shared facilities or close proximity.

Such co-location maximises community interaction and opportunities. In a boundary adjustment context the City would determine and identify new community hubs respecting functions that already exist in different neighbourhoods. In a larger geographical municipality it will be preferable that the City’s Customer Service be available from community hub locations providing easy access to Council services at convenient and recognised locations. This place-based service delivery would serve to also enhance the connections within different neighbourhoods.

Page 11 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

There are significant active sporting facilities spread throughout the proposed City of Melville. Melville, Willetton, Riverton, Shelley, Rossmoyne and Parkwood residents place high priority on riverside amenities for active and passive recreation. All of the river foreshore has high recreation and sporting usage. Bull Creek is extensively used for moorings. Sailing clubs are located in Melville and Shelley.

The use of shopping areas and the location of schools also act to draw people together with similar interests. This can also give indication about the direction that people travel to access services and facilities. The external boundaries of a local government need to reflect distinct communities of interest wherever possible.

One of the most important considerations for families relocating to the suburbs impacted by these boundary adjustments are the high school zones. Advertisements for housing in the Willetton, Riverton, Shelley and Rossmoyne areas identify the high school zones to which each property belongs.

The catchment area for the Willetton Senior High School includes all of the suburb of Willetton and part of Bull Creek in the City of Melville (see Figure 2).

Figure 1: Catchment Area for Rossmoyne Senior High School (White Area)

Page 12 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Figure 2: Catchment Area for Willetton Senior High School (Area Bounded by Black and Red Lines)

This proposal would split the school catchment area for Lynwood High School which includes the suburbs of Parkwood, Ferndale and Lynwood. Coollbellup, North Lake and Bibra Lake are served by the following Senior High Schools: Hamilton,North Lake Campus, South Fremantle and Melville. The catchment area for these Senior High Schools cross over existing local government boundaries.

The inclusion of Parkwood and Canning Vale is consistent with the current boundaries of the State Government Electorate of Riverton (see Figure 3).

The local member, Mike Nahan, has publically supported including Parkwood as well as all of Willetton in an expanded City of Melville (Newsletter September 2013).

Neighbourhoods, suburbs and towns are important units in the physical, historical and social infrastructure and often generate a feeling of community and belonging. The Board believes that wherever possible, it is inappropriate to divide the units between local governments.

Page 13 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

This boundary adjustment will involve complete suburbs.

Figure 3: State Government Electorate of Riverton

Page 14 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Principle 2 - Physical and Topographic Features Physical and topographic features may be man-made and will vary from area to area.

They may include: • Water features (such as rivers) • Catchment boundaries • Coastal plains and foothills • Parks and reserves, and • Man made features (such as railway lines or freeways).

These features can form identifiable boundaries and can also act as barriers to movement between adjoining areas. In many cases physical and topographic features are appropriate district and ward boundaries. The Board supports local government structures and boundaries that facilitate the integration of human activity and land use.

There are strong, legible boundaries in the proposed boundary adjustment such as;

The Swan River, Canning River, Bannister Brook, High Road, Nicholson Road, Kewdale – Cockburn Railway Line, Ken Hurst Park, Jandakot Commonwealth Lands boundary and Kewdale – Cockburn Railway line.

The landform is all coastal plain with soils ranging from shallow soil over limestone to deep yellow and grey sands.

Principle 3 - Demographic Trends Local governments should consider the following characteristics when determining the demographics within its locality: • Population size • Population trends • Distribution by age • Gender, and • Occupation.

Current and projected population factors will be relevant as well as similarities and differences between areas within the local government.

The demography of the areas proposed for boundary adjustment are similar. All of the areas have had significant infill and greenfield development since the 1950’s. Projected population growth is shown in Table 1.

Page 15 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Willetton (1.9%), Rossmoyne, Shelley and Riverton (2.6%), Coolbellup (3.6%) are currently have greater population growth with some over twice that of Melville (1.2%) but are expected to have similar growth rates in the longer term.

Table 6 contains demographic information showing similar profiles for the areas impacted by the boundary changes.

Table 6: Demographic Information 2011 COOLBELLUP PARKWOOD WILLETTON RIVERTON SHELLEY MELVILLE ROSSMOYNE Population 8267 6 129 18 049 13 907 104 480

Median Age years 37.2 37.0 38.6 40.6 40.4

Indigenous 2.8 0.7% 0.4% 0.5% 0.6% Population %

Managers and 28.5% 28.4% 39.3% 37.3% 43.9% Professionals

Technicians and 17.5% 15.0% 13.0% 10.7% 11.7% Trades

Clerical and 15.1% 18.3% 15.9% 17.0% 16.1% Administration

Post School 54.6% 55.0% # 59.6% 62.1% 62.1% Qualification aged 15+

Born NW Europe 11.4% 13.5% # 10.3% 11.8% 11.7%

Born SE Asia 4.5% 10.5% # 13.6% 9.8% 7.9%

Born NE Asia 1.3% 3.6% # 5.0% 4.7% 2.7%

Born Sub Saharan 1.7% 2.6% # 3.2% 3.4% 3.0% Africa

Born Overseas 33.3% 44.9% # 47.2% 47.8% 38.7%

Average Taxable $47121 $46 251 # $49 995 $54 344 $60 642 Income

Internet Access at 72.3% 82.2% 81.1% 80.7% 80.3% Home

Source ABS National Regional Profile # indicates data from Parkwood-Lynwood-Fernwood

Page 16 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Principle 4 - Economic Factors Economic factors can include any factor that reflects the character of economic activities and resources in the area including: • Industries within the local area • Distribution of community assets, and • Infrastructure.

Some of the proposed areas have a high proportion of commercial and industrial activity and a high proportion of service related activity.

There are strong infrastructure links between Melville and the part of the City of Canning comprising Willetton, Rossmoyne, Shelley, Riverton, Canning Vale and Parkwood through Leach Highway and South Street. Additionally, the infrastructure links with Cockburn are equally strong with the Roe and Kwinana Freeways, Leach Highway, North Lake, Stock Roads and the proposed Roe Highway extension to Stock Road.

Principle 5 - History of the Area The history of an area can be a relevant consideration, although the Board believes that in the majority of cases this will not be a primary justification for changing or retaining local governments and local government boundaries. The nature of historical ties between communities is important to understand, irrespective of where the local government boundaries lie.

A community within a local government may have a strong historical identity; alternatively there may be strong historical links between two or more communities in adjacent local governments. It is important to note that historical identity is not lessened if an area does not have its own local government. Most of the area adjacent to the Swan and Canning Rivers was taken up within 10 years of establishing the Swan River Colony. The Arrowsmith Map of 1839 shows the large land grants that covered most of the area.

The area originally had an agricultural industry with piggeries, dairies, stock paddocks, orchards, vegetable growing being the main agricultural activities with some timber sawing, boat-building and brick firing. The Cockburn area had market gardens around the wetland areas as well as dairies.

Tracks through the area were originally developed by indigenous occupants moving between the mouth of the Swan River and the Darling Scarp.

Page 17 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

One of these tracks was on the alignment of the current Leach Highway-High Road and was an important route for early settlers as it linked Fremantle and Guildford utilising Yule’s Rapids as the fordable crossing of the Canning River.

The land in the area was quite variable. John Morgan who was granted 3,000 acres in 1842 in the Riverton area described his land as “one tenth fair – the rest worthless” (Area marked 25 on Figure 4).

John Morgan’s land became the site of the convict “Fig Trees” settlement from which convicts produced sawn timber, fired bricks and made roads.

Another early land grant was made to Henry Willett (Area marked 21 on Figure 4) in the Parkwood-Lynwood area after whom Willetton was named.

The north parts of the Cockburn area also had large land holdings as shown by the properties held by Harrison and Robb. These areas were broadly used for agricultural purposes.

Figure 4: Arrowsmith Land Grant Map

Page 18 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Canning Highway had many sections of sandy track and was not a made road until motor vehicles use became more prominent. In 1927 the newly formed Main Roads Department rebuilt the road from Petra Street to Canning Bridge.

The WA Government sealed the first roads through the eastern area in the early 1950’s (Bulls Creek Road and High Road) as part of a heavy haulage bypass linked to Nicholson Road to assist the development of the Kwinana Oil Refinery.

The 1955 Land Use Atlas developed as part of the Stephenson Hepburn Plan at Figure 5 shows urban development along the river in Melville but limited urban development (Maroon) and scattered agricultural activity (Yellow) in the southern and eastern areas.

Figure 5: 1955 Land Use Atlas Extract

The first stage of the Kwinana Freeway stimulated urban subdivision of the Melville and eastern areas in a similar way as it promoted growth in much of the City of Melville.

Much of the history of the area shows a connection to the balance of the combining local governments with poor agricultural land being use for urban development once reticulated water was available and with improved road connections to employment in Perth.

The first stage of the construction of Leach Highway in 1972 commenced in Melville, to link with High Road, reinforcing this strong connection.

Page 19 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

Principle 6 - Transport and Communication The transport and communication linkages between towns and other areas may be a significant barrier to movement and therefore an appropriate boundary between local governments.

Consideration of the following factors is important in any assessment of local government boundaries: • Port access • Neighbouring towns • Railways, and • Major roads.

The principal transport and communication linkages run east west. Most freight is generated outside the area and passes through the area to access either the Fremantle Port or the Kewdale –Welshpool Transport Hub. This major freight linkage runs from the Perth Airport north of Melville to the southeast through Canning and Cockburn before it runs west to the Fremantle Port.

Additionally, major transport links are evident through the area with major roads like Roe Highway and Kwinana Freeway, Leach Highway, North Lake, Stock Roads and the proposed Roe Highway extension to Stock Road.

There is one rail passenger line in the area that runs north south through the City of Melville which is accessed at Bull Creek and Murdoch Rail Stations by residents from Willetton, Shelley, Rossmoyne and Riverton and use of public transport from these areas is increasing. Residents from Cockburn are serviced by the same passenger line that runs down Kwinana Freeway to Mandurah. A future passenger rail link is being investigated between Thornlie, through Canning Vale terminating at Cockburn Central.

Principle 7 - Matters affecting the Viability of Local Governments Local governments should have a significant resource base: • To be able to efficiently and effectively exercise its proper functions and delegated powers and operate facilities and services • To be flexible and responsive in the exercise of its functions and powers and operation of its facilities and services • To employ appropriate professional expertise and skills, and • To be capable of embracing micro-economic reform.

Each local government should have a diverse and sufficient rate base to ensure that general purpose grants do not represent the major revenue source.

Page 20 of 21 Alternative Submission (Proposal 3) To the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the Boundaries of the City of Melville

The City of Melville is already regarded as being able to operate efficiently and effectively ranking highly for its financial management and capability. The loss of Bicton and Palmyra will significantly impact revenue and will need to be offset by the addition of;

a. Adjustment A - Adding the complete suburbs of Leeming, Rossmoyne, Riverton, Shelley, Willetton, Parkwood, the Canning Vale Industrial area in Canning to the City of Melville to augment the City of Melville by boundary adjustment, and;

The combined local government is expected to result in improved financial viability; a broader rate base; improved economies of scale; reduced duplication; better use of resources and facilities; a broader range of services for the community; expanded organisational capacity; improved career paths for staff and greater capability.

Principle 8 - Effective Delivery of Local Government Services A broad range of factors can be relevant to the effective delivery of local government services and these are often directly relevant to those that also affect the viability of local governments. They include: • The size and geographical spread of the population • Management effectiveness and efficiency • The availability of staff expertise • Appropriate infrastructure and equipment, and • Customer satisfaction and feedback.

The City of Melville will have the capability for effective delivery of a wide range of local government services. The population density of the additional areas is around 2,000 persons per square kilometre which is similar to the existing density in the City of Melville making it a compact local government. The process of boundary adjustment will reduce the cost of local government reform and help sustain management effectiveness and efficiency.

Page 21 of 21