South Perth Rejects City of Perth Bill

Last night, South Perth City Council voted unanimously to express its strong concerns about a range of aspects of the City of Perth Bill currently before the Legislative Assembly (http://capitalcitycitizenscommittee.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/well-done-south-perth-council.html). 

This could be the game-changer that creates awareness of the dangers of the current City of Perth Bill for all local governments not just those specifically mentioned in the Bill.

New Blog: Capital City Citizens' Committee

http://capitalcitycitizenscommittee.blogspot.com.au

I'll still be commenting here on the City of Perth Bill and other local government matters, but there is a new blog on the block (http://capitalcitycitizenscommittee.blogspot.com.au) focussing on what is needed to establish an effective capital city for Western Australia and all Western Australians.

The Capital City belongs to all Western Australians, not just the ratepayers, residents and businesses of the City of Perth. We are all citizens of our Capital City.

As well as drawing attention to the flaws of the current City of Perth Bill and urging its rejection by the Parliament, the CCCC is constructively working to identify the functional and legislative basis for a Capital City of which all Western Australians can be proud.

Liberal MLC, Mark Lewis, Fails Dismally

Liberal MLC Mark Lewis tried to find 'reasons' why country people should support the City of Perth Bill - but, as Cecilia Brooke eloquently points out, he failed dismally.

Councils for Democracy Alive and Well

As Mosman Park Mayor, on Norris, said, "it looks like CfD will have an ongoing vital role in local government".

There is most certainly a need for an alternative and more effective voice than WALGA to pursue the interests of all local governments and their communities.

There is also a crying need for continued opposition to the Barnett government's flawed ideological pursuit of so-called reform in local government.

Yes, there is room for improvement in local government.

No, the pig-headed Barnett/Simpson approach is not the way to achieve improvement - instead it wastes resources on trying to achieve change that would, if achieved, be at best ineffective and more likely counter-productive.

CCCC Thanks to Shane Love and The Nationals

A few days delay in publishing the CCCC letter thanking Shane Love and the Nationals for sticking to their principles - but the West gets there in the end.

A Capital City for All: The Capital City Citizens' Committee

The push against the now-failed local government so-called reform process succeeded, in large part, because it was diverse, not centrally organised and every one could find their own role to play. The City of Perth Bill is a different kind of threat - a very specific one but still one that affects each and every one of us in WA.

That is why we have decided to adopt a more organised approach - although this should not deter anyone from doing their own bit as and when they can.

We firmly believe that the Capital City deserves and needs different governance provisions from other local governments, but the very nature of the Capital City means that its actions affect us all. In that sense every West Australian is a citizen of the Capital City - hence the name we have chosen for our endeavour.

The Capital City Citizens' Committee (CCCC) will:

1. Document the flaws of the current Bill and the threats posed by ambiguity and lack of accountability.

2. Develop proposals that will:

—Enhance governance, planning and development of a true Capital City

—Include the community and key stakeholders

—Provide genuine accountability to the Parliament, the City of Perth Council and the community 

3. Lobby Members of Parliament to oppose the current Bill and to support the Capital City we all deserve. 

https://localgovtsubiaco.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/capital-city-citizens-committee-is-formed/