Local Council Legal Action Not in Perth s Interest

Local Council Legal Action Not in Perth’s InterestThe decision by the City of Subiaco, Kalamunda and Serpentine-Jarrahdale to take legal action against Local Government Minister Tony Simpson and the Local Government Advisory Board threatens to prevent the desperately needed improvement of local government planning and building services.”It is disappointing to see this last-ditch attempt by certain councils to completely derail the reform process,” said Mr Joe Lenzo, Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia.”Bigger and better-resourced councils will be better positioned to cope with Perth’s burgeoning population and the resulting congestion issues.””A reduced number of local governments would increase the commercial viability of each government due to a stronger resource base.””Many of the council boundaries were drawn up over 100 years ago. To claim that these boundaries, which slice through major commercial centres and transport corridors, somehow deliver the best outcomes for their residents is simply absurd.””Outdated and inconsistent planning processes across the councils make it significantly harder for the necessary development to take place that provides the ease of transport and access to amenities that people want.””The boundaries have no connection to the greater strategic plans for the growth of Perth. A basic reduction in the number of local governments would provide the scale necessary for effective government systems.””These councils are apparently concerned about the rates of local residents being used to enable local government reform, but are happy to throw the money of those residents at counterproductive legal action.””These local governments need to look at what is in the best interests of the wider metropolitan region and not just their own backyards. Through the reform process, Perth can be a city that is capable of more strategic, dynamic planning, which will enable it to provide a better built environment for its residents.”Media contact: Joe Lenzo, Executive Director: Property Council, (08) 9426 1200 or 0419 044 768 Rebecca Douthwaite, Policy Advisor: Property Council, (08) 9426 1200 or 0404 221 860