Briefings90 Feb-Mar13.Indd
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A Newsletter for the residentsBassendean of Ashfi eld, Bassendean and Eden Hill distributed by your Council BriefiFebruary–March 2013 Issue No. ngs90 Local Government Structural Reform Our future – Your decision Response to the Robson Report of 2012 and Request for Community Feedback · February 2013 Bassendean’s options Message There are two options recommended by the Robson Report from the Mayor for the Town of Bassendean. Option A In June 2011, a review of Abolishing the current local government areas of Belmont, Bayswater and Bassendean the Perth metropolitan local and creating a new local government of Morley. government and broader The population for this proposal totals 113,606 (as per the 2011 census). governance structures was announced by the Minister Option B for Local Government, the Abolishing the current local government areas of Belmont, Bayswater and Bassendean, as well as amending the boundaries of the City of Swan and Hon John Castrilli MLA. the City of Stirling and creating a new local government of Morley. The Metropolitan Local Government Review The population for this proposal totals 160,789 (as per the 2011 census). Panel was appointed to examine the social, economic and environmental challenges facing metropolitan Perth. This independent Alternative proposals Panel has been charged with recommending Despite Options A and B, the Premier and the Minister for Local Government advised on 24 October appropriate boundaries and governance 2012 that the Government would consider alternative proposals from local governments, and models for local governments in the Perth would not force amalgamation so long as local government in the metropolitan area could deliver a metropolitan area. reduction to between 15 and 20 local governments—down from the current 30 that now exist. The Panel provided its fi nal report to the The Town has had discussions with the City of Swan about the possibility of an amalgamation Minister in July 2012 and, in October 2012, the between Swan and Bassendean and what that might mean for the Town and the ability for the State Government released the Robson Report Bassendean community to maintain local service delivery and place management so that a on the future of Local Government in the Perth signifi cant say in local matters can be preserved. metropolitan area. The report made numerous The Town has not received a request for a meeting from the City of Bayswater and, given that recommendations on the structure of local City’s previous record in not wishing to consult, such an approach is not expected. government in the metropolitan area as well A meeting was held with the City of Belmont on 24 January 2013 with an agreement being reached as suggesting changes to the governance that both Councils would consider support for each other’s submission prior to the submission going model currently in place for local government. to the Minister. A copy of the full report can be accessed via The State Government requires submissions on the Robson Report to be lodged by 5 April 2013 the following internet link: http://metroreform. following the State Election. It is, of course, possible that the current government may not regain dlg.wa.gov.au/. Hard copies of the executive power, and it is understood that the opposition does not support compulsory amalgamations. summary of the fi nal report are available in To enable your Council to provide a response to the State Government we ask that you provide the Library. feedback to the Town on your preferences. It is appreciated that this has been done twice before in the previous four years as part of the State Government’s protracted local government PROPOSAL 1 reform process, and that both times this community has supported the Town Business as usual staying as it is but perhaps with expanded borders. Whilst this is still an option for The Town advises the State Government that it wishes to remain the community to pursue, the Town would independent, but wishes to pursue an expanded border, which is like to know if there is an acceptable the Tonkin Highway, the centre line of Morley Drive, Bennett Brook amalgamation proposal, to the community, and the Swan River. (This is the current adopted position of your in the event that the State determines that Council.) amalgamation will be legislated. Cr John Gangell, Advantages Mayor • The Town will retain its long history as a local government and as a community; • Access to locally elected councillors will be retained; • Existing services, celebrations and institutions will be retained; Please indicate your • The Town’s plans for the future can be defi ned and pursued; • The Town’s reserves will not be syphoned off for use in other suburbs of a larger local responses to the government; following amalgamation • Existing border anomalies with Bayswater and Swan will be resolved with the proposed boundary adjustments; proposals >>> • The current fi nancial viability of the Town of Bassendean as a sustainable local government will be maintained; Submissions can be made by • The Town of Bassendean assets will be enhanced as the management of its assets completing the Feedback Form on will be limited to the existing area; page 5 and either emailing it back • The ‘local environment’ will be maintained for the betterment of the Town of Bassendean; to [email protected] or • The Town of Bassendean’s strategic plans and community engagement will continue posting it to Town of Bassendean, to be a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the community’s aspirations; PO Box 87, Bassendean 6934. • The current Town Planning Scheme reviews and its increase in density will provide additional resources and funding for the whole community within the Town of Alternatively, you can drop your Bassendean; completed Feedback Form into the • As a member of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council the Town of Bassendean is Customer Service Centre at involved in a range of shared projects which benefi t the whole region; and 35 Old Perth Road or the • With the border adjustment proposed all of Ashfi eld would be in the Town of Bassendean Memorial Library at Bassendean as would the CSBP site and some surrounding businesses, and all of the houses currently in the City of Bayswater on the Town’s side of the Tonkin Highway. 46 Old Perth Road, Bassendean. Disadvantages The Feedback Form can also be • The existing boundaries do not provide for a regional approach for population and completed online at development growth for the region; www.bassendean.wa.gov.au. • There are limitations for the Town of Bassendean to develop assets that cross local government boundaries; • There are perceived disadvantages in maintaining the existing structure given the future development of the region; • The possibility of not being able to receive funding for projects specifi cally for the Town of Bassendean in the future as higher levels of government focus on regional and larger local governments to deliver services; • With the border adjustments proposed a small number of properties on the northern side of Morley Drive would be lost to the City of Swan; and • The Town’s budget does not have the capacity to increase signifi cantly for the foreseeable future until signifi cant growth and development occurs. PROPOSAL 2 Amalgamation of the City of Advantages The Metropolitan Review Report suggests the following Belmont, the City of Bayswater advantages for this proposal: • The proposed new local government is focussed on the and the Town of Bassendean strategic activity centre of Morley and is essentially (as per Option A) a consolidation of the current local governments of Bassendean, Bayswater and Belmont within their current The following map shows the proposed new boundaries boundaries. This local government would span both sides of the Swan River and adjoin the City of Perth at its southern of the new local government. boundary. Map of Morley – Option A • The population of the proposed new local government focused on Morley is estimated at around 113,606, growing only slightly to a projected 125,100 by 2026. Population growth in this area will largely come through infi ll of existing suburbs. • With the further development of the airport precinct, transport links through the area, such as the Tonkin Highway, are critical. All of the Perth Airport is brought into this proposed new local government. This is an improvement on the current situation, which sees it spread across three local governments. • The residential areas being brought together are similar in housing stock and socio-economic status. An important aspect of this proposed local government is making the Swan River a central feature, providing the basis for pooled expertise and a consistent approach to management of associated issues. Disadvantages • The Town of Bassendean as a long-standing local government with a strong history and connection to its community will be abolished; • A possible reduction in the service provision to the Town of Bassendean residents particularly in relation to home and community care and children’s services; • The possibility of a reduction in Library services for Town of Bassendean residents; • The possibility of a reduction in the provision of recreational facilities and events that have been advantageous to the Town of Bassendean; • The possibility of a reduction in the elected member representation for the Town of Bassendean; and • A possible strong sense of disconnectedness for residents when dealing with a much larger Local Government with a much broader focus. PROPOSAL 3 Amalgamation of the City of Belmont, Advantages The Metropolitan Review Report suggests the following the City of Bayswater and the advantages for this proposal: • The proposed new local government focussed on Town of Bassendean plus part of the strategic activity centre of Morley is essentially a consolidation of the current local governments Swan and Stirling of Bassendean, Bayswater and Belmont.