Have your say on Reform

The City of Armadale is concerned that the Local Government Advisory Board’s (LGAB) latest proposal for local government reform is a step too far, forcing the Armadale community to take on responsibility for too large an area and issues they thought were in their past.

Mayor Henry Zelones said the LGAB is proposing that Armadale take over the whole of Serpentine Jarrahdale including the southern portion that we believe would be better managed by the Shire of Murray.

“Perhaps it’s time members of the Armadale community let the Board know how they feel.

“I’m starting to think the Board (and Government) believe that Council oppose these moves for self-interest, so they need to hear from others.

“Put in a nutshell, Serpentine Jarrahdale are going through the problems of rapid growth that Armadale experienced 30 years ago. The Government believes that by expanding our boundaries, we can give them the benefit of that experience and save perhaps 20 years of financial pain. Clearly that means the costs will be spread over the larger Armadale, rather than SJ’s smaller population.

“But not all of SJ is subject to urban growth. The area that will remain agricultural and forest for decades yet could become part of Murray, who are attuned to the specific needs and desires of an agricultural community.

“The specialised staff of the City of Armadale can keep doing what they are good at, and so can those at Murray. It’s a better business outcome.

“While we will welcome the bulk of the SJ community into our district, to ask the Armadale community to take on the whole responsibility is a bridge too far,” said Mayor Zelones.

The City of Armadale is inviting residents to have their say on the latest changes to the council merger proposal by the LGAB.

The Board met with the City of Armadale last week to present a new proposal which was considerably different from the City’s submission.

The Board’s new proposal would see Armadale take over the whole of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

The vision supported by the City of Armadale, Shire of Murray and the Minister for Local Government, is for the boundary to be at Mundijong Road.

Mayor Henry Zelones said the City is very disappointed the LGAB hasn’t readily supported their original proposal.

“Our earlier submission made sense, as the rapidly urbanising communities of Mundijong and Byford are part of the social, commercial, retail and governance ‘catchment’ of the Armadale strategic metropolitan centre.

“The southern part of SJ is predominately rural and has more in common with its rural neighbours to the south, the Shire of Murray, where they enjoy a rural lifestyle.

“If the boundary remains at Mundijong Road, we become a City of 99,000 people by July 2015, but if the entire Shire of SJ is subsumed, it will be 103,600 – not a much larger population but a much bigger area.

“The Shire of Murray had earlier expressed some reservations regarding the costs of transition, they are now confident that the Mundijong Road boundary can work.

“Murray and Armadale have been working together through the LIC and Working Groups to ensure the best possible outcome for the communities and staff who could potentially be affected by changes, but this new proposal means back to the drawing board.

“We encourage and urge members of the affected communities to be heard and make an individual submission to the LGAB,” said Mayor Zelones.

Residents are invited to visit the City’s website at www.armadale.wa.gov.au or contact the City on 9399 0111 if they need advice or information to support a submission.