Perth Voice Interactive

Stirling mayor David Boothman has declared war on the Barnett government’s amalgamation plans, describing them as a “fiasco”.

On Tuesday the council—one of WA’s biggest—voted to lobby the government to keep Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Woodlands, Inglewood and parts of Mt Lawley and Dianella within its borders.

Cr Boothman says Stirling residents are aghast at the implications of the government’s planned changes, shifting them into neighbouring councils they have no connection with.

“Stirling is collateral damage in this whole fiasco and would seem to some to be an easy target given our excellent financial standing,” he says.

“Two months ago we were assured there would be no change to our boundaries and the city was held up as a poster child in terms of the model that all local government should be aiming towards.

“Then three weeks ago we were told of the proposed carve-up to our boundaries, which includes six of our current suburbs being devoured by neighbouring new mega-councils to make them sustainable to our detriment, and that only minor tweaks would be considered in any submission back to the local government advisory board.”

Plans to include half of Vincent in Stirling have already unravelled, with all of the tiny city now likely to end up in a bigger Perth. A Stay in Stirling Facebook page has been created and the Mt Lawley Society has organised a protest rally at the Astor Theatre on August 28. The council is rolling out Obama-style posters of the mayor, with the word “STAY” replacing “HOPE”.

Residents have also banded together to fund a full-page ad in this week’s Voice to advertise the rally.

Cr Boothman says the boundary changes have no benefit for Stirling residents: “Bottom line, the proposed changes are not consistent with the intent of the reform process and more importantly, there is not a single benefit in it for Stirling residents.

“Our suburbs should stay in Stirling and not be transferred over to other new councils for the sole purpose of making them sustainable, which we all know this is what it is all about.”

Cr Boothman urges residents to “Like” the “Stay in Stirling” Facebook page and complete a survey at http://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/vote, to be included in the final submission to the LGAB on October 4.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK