Town News

Last Opportunity to Have Your Say on the IMNS

20 May 2013

The Town is developing an Integrated Movement Network Strategy (IMNS) to guide the development of future plans for delivering an efficient, safe, well-connected and sustainable transport system in the Town.

Early on in the process we sought comments on local transport and mobility issues of importance to the community, businesses and other key stakeholders and this helped shape the direction of the IMNS.

A Draft IMNS was then released for consultation for a five week period from15 March - 19 April 2013 and a number of consultation activities were undertaken to encourage feedback on it.

A Second Draft IMNS is now available for download.

The comments received through this process have been considered and necessary amendments have been made to IMNS.

The consultation report and an updated version of background report are also available for viewing:

IMNS Consultation Report
IMNS Background Report

For further information and to comment on the Second Draft IMNS please click here.

TOWN PLANNING SCHEME NO. 1 - AMENDMENT NO. 57

07 May 2013

Town Planning Scheme Amendment No. 57 has been approved by the Minister for Planning and was gazetted on 22 February 2013. The Amendment facilitates development of a mixed use activity centre on the Belmont Park Racecourse site and brings the zones and reserves into alignment with the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

Amendment 57 - Govt Gazette

Strong opposition to Perth City’s amalgamation proposal

22 April 2013

City of South Perth Mayor, Sue Doherty with Town of Victoria Park Mayor Trevor Vaughan are opposed to the City of Perth’s submission to the Minister of Local Government which supports South Perth, Victoria Park, the whole of Vincent and parts of Cambridge and Stirling being absorbed into a greater City of Perth.

Submissions to Minister Simpson were due by 5 April 2013 with both Councils asserting their responses to the Robson Report in separate submissions.

City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty commented on the City of Perth’s submission to the Minister.

“Despite the claim by the City of Perth that it is willing to collaboratively with affected local governments, I find it surprising that no approaches have been made during this process. I have attempted to discuss the subject with the Lord Mayor but I have not been successful.”

“One of the most disturbing recommendations made by the City of Perth is that the CBD should be over represented on the new Council simply because of its status as a Capital City.”

“This would reduce the capacity of our suburbs to be equitably represented which is a principle enshrined in the Local Government Act. It also ignores the equal right of self-determination and would create a “them and us” mentality, which clearly does not create a good outcome. “

“I believe this would disenfranchise our residents, creating a culture of being regarded as poor cousins of the residential suburbs.”

Mayor Doherty identified other areas of concern in the City of Perth’s submission including
their intention to direct particular revenue, such as off-street parking into ongoing CBD investment.

“This move would effectively isolate funding from the surrounding residential suburbs including South Perth, to the detriment of our ratepayers, and the services provided to them. This is hardly a good start to forming a new partnership.”

Additionally, Mayor Doherty said the City of Perth’s bid to include the Burswood Peninsula within the CBD boundary would jeopardise the City’s preferred option of amalgamation with the Town of Victoria Park.

“Of major concern is the City of Perth’s bid to include the Burswood Peninsula within the CBD boundary, this change would throw into question the viability of a merger between South Perth and Victoria Park.” Mayor Doherty added.

“When the Town of Victoria Park was part of the City of Perth 19 years ago, little to nothing was achieved – the City of Perth effectively forgot about us,” said Mayor Trevor Vaughan.

“Now 19 years later there is more than $8 billion worth of development happening in our Town, and our community has become a vibrant, desirable place to reside, with a unique personality and so much to offer.”
In the City of South Perth’s submission to Minister for Local Government regarding the Metropolitan Local Government Review, the City’s preferred course of action is to amalgamate with the Town of Victoria Park.

Mayor Doherty said a strong relationship exists between the two councils.

“A good relationship exists between the City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park and informal discussions on the possibilities of amalgamation have been on-going since last year.”

“Both the City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park are open to local government reform. We are willing to work collaboratively to develop a sensible solution that reflects the best interests of our residents.” Mayor Doherty said.

The Town of Victoria Park conducted a survey of its residents late last year which received a strong response with 62% of respondents preferring the Town stay as is rather than amalgamating along the lines of the Robson Report’s proposed scenarios.

Additionally, when the option of staying as is, is taken out of the equation as not being an option, then 71% of respondents prefer amalgamating with the City of South Perth.

In their submission to the Minister of Local Government, the City of South Perth identifies there is no community of interest between the residents of the City of Perth and the City of South Perth.

The Swan River is a natural feature of north and south separation in the metropolitan area and there is no justification for the City of Perth to extend across the river. The City strongly believes the focus of the City of Perth should remain with a ‘Capital City’ focus and not be side tracked on suburban issues to the detriment of ratepayers in residential areas.

To view the City of South Perth’s submission and the Town of Victoria Park’s submission to the Minister for Local Government visit www.southperth.wa.gov.au and www.victoriapark.wa.gov.au

Residents and Council call to stay as is

22 April 2013

The Town of Victoria Park remains unwavering in its stance to stay as is which was asserted in its submission to Minister Simpson in response to the Metropolitan Local Government Review.

The Town's submission, lodged last Friday, highlighted the distance it has travelled since its excision from the City of Perth in 1994,its commitment to the Town's Plan for the Future 2011-

2026 and its primary focus on community well-being.

"When our Town was part of the City of Perth little to nothing was achieved- the City of Perth effectively forgot about us," said Mayor Trevor Vaughan.

"Now 19 years later there is more than $8 billion worth of development happening in our Town, and our community has become a vibrant, desirable place to reside, with a unique personality and so much to offer.

"In particular, during this time we have significantly improved assets through a major asset replacement program, we have placed a strong focus on strategic planning and we have fostered an environment where our residents feel connected to one another and the Town."

The City of Perth supports the Metropolitan Local Government Review Panel's "Option B" which involves them absorbing the Town of Victoria Park, City of Vincent, City of South Perth and potentially other neighbouring councils.

"The City of Perth's support of this option is blatant cherry-picking of the best assets and prime developments in neighbouring councils. They even specifically refer to wanting control of the Burswood Peninsular, OE2 medical centres and University of Western Australia."

The Town of Victoria Park advocates that every local government in Perth has an equal role in contributing to the development of the entire Perth metropolitan area for the benefit of then community as a whole. Local Government reform should primarily revolve around building strong, happy and healthy communities.

"Of particular concern is that the City of Perth submission advocates for the disenfranchisement of suburban electors for the sole benefit of the CBD's needs.

"It also advocates for the City of Perth to be treated differently from any other council, with the request that their Elected Members retain their current positions, while all others will be forced to resign.

"Additionally it suggests that legislation should recognise the Lord Mayor as a regional leader amongst other local governments- my colleagues I am sure would agree that we will not be relegated to water boys and girls to the City Of Perth!" said Mayor Vaughan.

The submission also suggests that legislation acknowledge the role of the City of Perth in economic development and tourism.

"Every Council has a role to play in tourism and economic development- tourists don't care which Council they are in as long as they enjoy the experience."

"Local government reform should be about building communities as a primary focus not building status as a 'larger capital city'.