City of Subiaco Metropolitan Local Government Reform Proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board to Amend the City of Subiaco Boundaries

City of Subiaco Metropolitan Local Government Reform Proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board to amend the City of Subiaco boundaries

CONTENTS

Introduction ...... 1

Proposal requirements ...... 1

Nature of the proposal ...... 2

Effect of the proposal on local governments ...... 2

Reasons for the proposal – Local government structural reform in Perth's

western suburbs ...... 3

Plan – Proposed new local government boundaries ...... 6

Introduction Metropolitan local governments in Perth are presently engaging with the state government’s Metropolitan Local Government Reform agenda which was announced on 30 July 2013. The state government’s preferred model is based on the recommendations contained within the Review into Metropolitan Local Government report (completed in July 2012), and was for a reduction in the number of local governments in the Perth metropolitan area from 30 to 14.

The mechanism by which this change is expected to occur was announced in August 2013, with local governments invited to make a proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) in accordance with the state government preferred model. To date, 18 of the 27 affected local governments have made proposals or submissions to the LGAB. (No change was proposed to the boundaries of three existing local governments, though one of these, the City of Rockingham, has made a submission.) The state government's model for reform has been further amended since these proposals or submissions were made and on 12 November 2013, a model for 15 local governments in the Perth metropolitan area was announced.

On 29 January 2014 the LGAB formally invited submissions on the 34 proposals it had received to that date. These included 21 from local governments, 12 from the Minister for Local Government and Communities and one from electors in the City of Cockburn. The six week submission period is due to close on 13 March 2014.

The City of Subiaco's stated position is to remain independent, as confirmed by Council at the special council meeting of 13 February 2014. In order that the LGAB may consider the city's position, the City of Subiaco submits this proposal for several boundary adjustments which would see an independent, albeit expanded, City of Subiaco. This proposal is submitted for the consideration of the LGAB as part of its prescribed process under the Local Government Act 1995.

Proposal requirements The required content for a proposal to the LGAB is specified by Clause 2(2) of Schedule 2.1 of the Local Government Act (1995). It states: (2) A proposal is to- (a) set out clearly the nature of the proposal, the reasons for making the proposal and the effects of the proposal on local governments; and (b) be accompanied by a plan illustrating any proposed changes to the boundaries of a district; and (c) comply with any regulations about proposals.

The following sections detail how this proposal addresses these requirements and the anticipated effects on the City of Subiaco and Town of Cambridge.

Nature of the proposal Any proposal to the LGAB is required to explicitly identify what changes are required in order to effect the change proposed and includes stating the exact nature of any changes required to boundaries. Whether the proposal comprises an amalgamation, boundary change or combination of both is also required to be defined. These definitions are provided by the Department of Local Government and Communities as follows:

• A “boundary change” is where the boundary of one existing local government is intended to be extended to encompass either the whole of another local government, or a part of another local government. • An “amalgamation” is where two or more existing local governments are abolished and a new local government is created within the boundaries of the former local governments. • A “combination” is where two or more local governments are to be abolished to create a new local government and a boundary is extended to encompass the whole or a part(s) of another local government(s).

This proposal by the City of Subiaco for amendments to the city's boundaries is put forward as a "boundary change" proposal whereby boundary amendments are made to extend the boundary of the City of Subiaco to include parts of the Town of Cambridge. Other existing City of Subiaco boundaries are to remain the same. The boundary adjustments proposed are to:

a) amend the current boundary between the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge of the City of Subiaco, extending the boundary of the City of Subiaco north and west to the intersection of Selby Street and Hay Street; and b) amend the current boundary between the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge of the City of Subiaco, extending the current boundary north and west to include the area bound by Salvado Road, Hart Lane and Jersey Street.

The proposal results in an expanded City of Subiaco including a portion of the suburb of Jolimont, and segments of the suburbs of Daglish and Shenton Park within the city's boundaries.

Effect of the proposal on local governments

Effects of the proposal on the City of Subiaco The expected impact of the proposed adjustment to the existing boundaries of the City of Subiaco is discussed below:

The north western boundary of the City of Subiaco will be extended to include a portion of the suburb of Jolimont and segments of the suburbs of Daglish and Shenton Park currently within the Town of Cambridge. This serves to further unite the community of Jolimont.

With these proposed boundary changes the effect is an enlarged City of Subiaco that follows logical boundaries.

Effects of the proposal on the Town of Cambridge The expected impact of the proposed adjustment to the existing boundaries of the Town of Cambridge is discussed below:

The southern boundary of the Town of Cambridge will be amended to exclude a portion of the suburb of Jolimont and segments of the suburbs of Daglish and Shenton Park currently within the Town of Cambridge.

With these proposed boundary changes the effect is a reduced Town of Cambridge that follows logical boundaries.

Reasons for the proposal – Local government structural reform in Perth's western suburbs The state government's preferred model is to form one local government in the western suburbs of Perth, merging the existing local governments of Cambridge, Subiaco, Claremont, Nedlands, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove, and part of Stirling. This was announced on 30 July 2013, and a formal proposal to this effect was lodged by the Minister for Local Government and Communities to the LGAB in November 2013.

Affected local governments across the western suburbs have made it clear that they do not consider one local government to be in the best interests of their communities. Notwithstanding, the Mayors of the western suburbs councils did agree to explore alternate options which may be acceptable to both the state government and their communities.

This is demonstrated by the decision by all western suburbs Mayors and CEOs at a meeting held on 7 August 2013, whereby the government's merger proposal was discussed and the following was decided:

"The Mayors of Cambridge, Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove and Subiaco, have met to discuss the implications of the Government's proposal for a G7 amalgamation and unanimously agreed that:-

1. We do not agree with the G7 proposal being forced on our communities; 2. We oppose the removal or dilution of the Dadour Poll provision in the Local Government Act; and 3. We will now talk to our respective Councils about developing an alternative model that may be acceptable to our communities and the Government."

The City of Subiaco’s preferred position is to remain an independent local government, with no amalgamation as demonstrated by the Council resolution of 15 August 2013:

"That Subiaco Council: 1. Writes to all state parliamentarians informing them that Subiaco Council strongly objects to Premier Colin Barnett and Minister Tony Simpson's proposal to amalgamate under duress the seven western suburb councils.

2. Confirms the preferred position of the City of Subiaco is to remain an independent Council in its own right with no amalgamation. 3. Strongly objects to the suggestion the Local Government Act 1995 may be amended to affect or reduce people's right to referendums to oppose boundary changes and amalgamations. 4. Under duress, may enter into discussions to develop an alternative model to the proposed amalgamation of the seven western suburbs local governments. 5. Inserts a full page advertisement in a local paper to inform our ratepayers and others of our opposition to the above matters."

In November and December 2013, the City of Subiaco reaffirmed its preferred position as one of independence, whilst it also resolved to investigate amalgamation scenarios.

On 13 February 2014, Council considered a several scenarios for structural reform and resolved:

"That based on an assessment of attendant risks, the city: 1.(a) Submit a proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board to annexe a portion of the suburb of Jolimont currently located within the Town of Cambridge. The nature of this proposal is a boundary change whereby the boundary of the City of Subiaco is extended to include parts of the Town of Cambridge. Other existing City of Subiaco boundaries are to remain the same. It is proposed to; a) amend the current boundary between the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge, extending the boundary of the City of Subiaco north and west to the intersection of Selby Street and Hay Street. b) amend the current boundary between the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge, extending the current boundary of the City of Subiaco north and west to include the area bound by Salvado Road, Hart Lane and Jersey Streets. (b) Reaffirm Councils previous resolutions to maintain Subiaco as an independent and sustainable Local Government identity and advises the Local Government Advisory Board that the City of Subiaco’s preferred position is to remain an independent local government noting the results of the community survey and the online survey of people of Subiaco and their overwhelming support for Councils resolution to remain independent. 2. That based on an assessment of attendant risks, the city dispatch a submission to the Local Government Advisory Board rejecting the boundary proposal by the Town of Cambridge of October 2013 to absorb a portion of Subiaco as being manifestly disadvantageous for the residents of the City of Subiaco. 3. That based on an assessment of attendant risks and under perceived duress, the city submit a proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board recommending the merger of the City of Subiaco and the City of Perth (known as Option One attached to this report) modified to reflect the City of Perth’s proposal of 4 October 2013. 4. Council has examined various options relating to merging with other local governments and thanks the staff for the huge task they have done. 5. Council's sole concern is to protect the people of Subiaco and staff from loss of both independent identity and from financial mismanagement of their money.

6. That based on an assessment of attendant risks, the city dispatch a submission to the Local Government Advisory Board rejecting the merger proposal by the Minister to merge Subiaco with the local governments of Town of Mosman Park, Town of Cottesloe, Shire of Peppermint Grove Town of Claremont, City of Nedlands and Town of Cambridge as being manifestly disadvantageous for the residents of the City of Subiaco."

This proposal is in accordance with part 1(a) of that resolution.

Plan – Proposed new local government boundaries

The proposed new boundaries for the City of Subiaco are indicated in the figures below. The red lines indicate the City of Subiaco boundaries as outlined in this proposal and orange lines indicate existing local government boundaries:

The proposed boundary changes are also shown in the figure below with red lines indicating the proposed new boundary between the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge and orange lines the existing boundaries. Shaded areas indicate the portions of the Town of Cambridge which will be included within the City of Subiaco: