City calls for unity

Mr Holland made the comments at the ‘Stay in Stirling’ rally in Dianella on Sunday afternoon, which was attended by about 250 residents.

‘Quite frankly, you would have to say that the changes that have been suggested are actually putting local governments against one another to fight it out,’ he said.

‘It makes the process extremely difficult. We are neighbours, we try to help one another, we do not want to be at each other’s throat.’

Other speakers at the meeting, including Mayor David Boothman and councillor David Lagan, said proposed council changes, including transferring Wembley Downs and Churchlands and part of Woodlands, to the new western suburbs council would affect about 33,000 people.

‘Why, when we have been held up as a good model for local government for last five years, would you then slash our suburbs? There can only be one answer and that is to make other proposed local government amalgamations more sustainable both financially and by the way of population,’ Cr Boothman said.

Mt Holland said the changes that would see parts of Dianella, Mt Lawley, Menora and all of Inglewood taken from Stirling and given to the new greater Morley council would result in losses for the community.

Mt Lawley MLA Michael Sutherland said he would support the City of Stirling’s proposal to retain Dianella, Menora, Mt Lawley and Inglewood.

Maylands MLA Lisa Baker said the proposed changes, particularly removing the Dadour Provisions, were taking away residents’ democratic right to have a say in the make up of their local government.