Perth Voice Interactive

STIRLING city council has been accused of spreading  “half-truths” and of “fear-mongering” by an ABC radio talkback host.

ABC720 host Geoff Hutchison this week took mayor Giovanni Italiano to task over Stirling’s claims that Inglewood, Mt Lawley and Dianella will suffer if they end up being transferred to neighbouring Bayswater as part of the premier’s amalgamation plans.

A council mailout to ratepayers claimed the Inglewood library and other key services would “be lost”  if transferred to Bayswater.

Mr Hutchison also questioned the ethics of Stirling issuing pre-filled submission forms to homes in the three suburbs.

Cr Italiano says the council was simply trying to make it easier for elderly people, who couldn’t get online to complete the form themselves.

Meanwhile, Stirling councillor David Lagan this week moved the mayor send a letter to Bayswater complaining about its councillors lambasting Stirling last week.

Bayswater councillors had been responding angrily to a cartoon shown at a Stirling anti-amalgamation rally which appeared to call them a financially “irresponsible neighbour” (Voice, March 1, 2014).

Bayswater councillor Mike Anderton says claims his city will close Inglewood library are preposterous.

He wants Bayswater mayor Cr Sylvan Albert—who was elected in October—to be less mild-mannered.

“He needs to get on the front-foot and hold Stirling to account on false claims they are making about us in the press,” Cr Anderton says.

“We need to be more pro-active in the amalgamation process.”

At a closed-doors meeting Tuesday Bayswater approved its amalgamation submission, which it will send to the local government advisory board this month.

Bayswater has been consistently supportive of the WA local government minister’s original proposal which would see sections of Inglewood, Dianella and Mt Lawley become part of a new Bayswater-Bassendean super council.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK