Barnett calls for takeover of 'awful' Scarborough

Colin Barnett says Scarborough beach is "awful", full of run-down buildings and a prime candidate for a State Government takeover because of local government inaction.

But the Premier's comments were thrown back in his face by City of Stirling mayor David Boothman, who revealed the council had a "shovel-ready" redevelopment plan that had been held up only by the Government's refusal to fund it.

Mr Barnett said Scarborough should be WA's "best beach environment" but was instead blighted by "carparks and run-down buildings".

"Stirling council some years ago tried to take on fixing up Scarborough beach and make it into a terrific recreational beaching province," he told ABC radio.

Asked if the council had failed, Mr Barnett said: "Yeah, they did. Well it didn't happen, it's still much the same, still carparks and run-down buildings and awful compared to what it could be.

"At some stage, we'll come back to the Stirling City Council and we'll probably say do you want the State to take it on?"

Asked later about his comments, Mr Barnett said the Government was "actively considering" bringing the newly established Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority in to manage Scarborough's redevelopment.

"(The MRA) has been established for precisely that type of project, where there is an area that urgently needs to see some redevelopment," he said. "I think that (Scarborough) is a prime area."

Cr Boothman said the council had been trying for "four or five months" to set up a meeting with Mr Barnett about the beachfront.

"It hasn't happened to date," he said.

_The West Australian _ has also confirmed that the council's $53 million Scarborough master plan, which was submitted to the WA Planning Commission in August, has not yet been dealt with.

"We really want the State Government to get on board and commit some funds like they've done for many of the regional centres around the State and other areas like Midland and Armadale," Cr Boothman said. "We don't need to do any more planning, we just need to get funding and get it done. It's shovel ready."

Shadow planning minster Peter Tinley accused Mr Barnett of failing to do his homework.

"This is classic Colin Barnett. He makes a few injudicious comments then retreats into the safe ground of blaming others," Mr Tinley said.