Fremantle Herald Official: CALL TO ARMS The Fremantle Society is beating the war drums, urging community groups across Perth to gather at Cottesloe for a mighty assault on the premier’s council merger plans. Society boss Henty Farrar says the, “imposition of the Emperor’s law will not be tolerated”. Colin Barnett this week announced details of his plan to slash the number of metropolitan councils from 30 to 14—forcing many into unhappy marriages—and leading to claims he’s broken a key election promise not to force amalgamations on councils that don’t want them. The premier is playing cute, saying he’s only announcing plans and that amalgamations are voluntary: But any councils that don’t amalgamate are likely to be forcibly joined after the next election. The premier is so determined to force amalgamations he’s changing the law to remove the ability of electors to stop them. Mr Farrar says the Cottesloe rally will be “this month on a Saturday and we want groups around Perth opposed to mergers to attend”. “We want a referendum to be held on the same day as the election so the people can have their say.” Fremantle Chamber of Commerce boss Tim Milson reckons the merger may be good for business and for generating much-needed economic activity. “It’s a bit premature to say right now, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” he says. “I think there is opportunity there for business, because a larger demographic means offering up services to a larger demographic.” by BRENDAN FOSTER (August 2, 2013) LINK to the rest of the article:heraldonlinejournal/2013/08/02/call-to-arms/
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:13:52 +0000
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