BAYSWATER mayor Terry Kenyon says he has been given an assurance from the Barnett government Bassendean and Bayswater won’t be forced into a merger.

WA mayors met with local government minister Tony Simpson last week to discuss the amalgamations, which are due to be announced within months.

“I asked the minister for his view regarding the possible amalgamation of the town of Bassendean and the city of Bayswater,” Cr Kenyon said.

“The minister advised there would be no forced merger and he would consider what is best for the community and a decision would be made soon on the reform process.”

Cr Kenyon said the amalgamation process had been dragging on for too long.

“The reform process has been ongoing for around five years now and the city would really like to know from the local government minister what direction the local government sector is going in,” he sighed.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK