Premier puts council merger on the agenda

Premer Colin Barnett has pointed to Greater Bunbury’s councils as a target for a local government merger, saying its existing structure of four authorities was limiting the region’s growth.

The Premier’s comments follow Nationals Leader Brendon Grylls’ claim he had made a deal with the State Government which ensured mergers would not be forced in regional Western Australia.

The Government last week announced Perth’s 30 metropolitan councils would be cut to 14, dramatically redefining local government boundaries.

Mr Barnett said the Government would look to regional cities and then country authorities after the metropolitan mergers were finished.

“Bunbury is an example of (where there are) four local authorities in what is seen as Bunbury itself,” he said.

“That city should be growing and growing more strongly as the second capital city, (but) it is the structure of local government which is holding it back.”

Bunbury City Council wants to expand its local government boundaries to encompass an area from Buffalo Road, Leschenault, to Fishermans Road, Stratham.

The councils of Harvey, Dardanup and Capel have expressed vocal opposition to any merger with Bunbury.

Bunbury Mayor David Smith said amalgamation in the Greater Bunbury region was inevitable and should happen sooner rather than later.

Capel shire president Murray Scott said his ratepayers did not support amalgamation.

The Dardanup council last month agreed to start a committee with community involvement to lead its resistance to a merger.

Bunbury councillor Michelle Steck has called for a referendum on the issue to give the city’s residents the chance to have their say.

She said a poll should be taken before October’s local government election.