Perth Voice Interactive

IT was standing room only at Bayswater city council as Morley residents crammed the chamber to protest council mergers.

The Barnett government’s decision to shift the northern portion of Morley into an enlarged Swan infuriated ratepayers who, during an emotionally charged public question time, demanded that Bayswater councillors fight the amalgamations.

“We feel let down,” said a woman from Bluegum Road.

“This move had been mooted since 2011 and the city should have been preparing to fight our corner well in advance.”

Another was almost in tears, describing how he’d lived in Morley for 50 years, working with his father in a local bait shop.

“I want to stay in Bayswater,” he said in a tremulous voice, before trudging back to his seat.

In the crowd supporting residents were Labor MPs Lisa Baker and Dave Kelly.

“Residents are worried about the value of their property falling, higher rates and reduced services,” Mr Kelly told councillors.

“What is the city prepared to do? We want to hear that the city is prepared to take legal action.”

More than 300 people have signed a petition opposing the plan, around 350 attended a protest rally in Mahogany Park Saturday and a website has been created (http://www.morleyboundarychanges.org).

If the premier’s controversial mergers go ahead Bayswater will annex all of Bassendean and portions of Swan and Stirling, including Inglewood and Mt Lawley, while surrendering  northern Morley.

Earlier this month mayor Sylvan Albert said the mergers represented a “good outcome” for Bayswater.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK