City of Perth's vision for future
The City of Perth has ramped up its campaign to ensure its boundaries are expanded to include key infrastructure but does not take in "distracting" suburban areas.
The council has also given the strongest indication yet that it will pursue a merger with the City of Subiaco.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi yesterday unveiled the council's $60,000 campaign, justifying the need for the local government authority to expand "strategically", taking in key landmarks including the University of WA and QEII medical centre to the west, Medibank Stadium and the Oxford Street cafe strip to the north and Crown Perth, Belmont Park racecourse and the proposed new stadium to the east.
Ms Scaffidi affirmed the council's opposition to the City of Vincent being wholly included in its boundaries but said expanding into Subiaco could make sense.
"There is definitely a proximity that Subiaco has to Perth, that the northern parts of Vincent do not," she said.
"Also the adjacent nature of Subiaco to the medical precinct is very relevant to consider and the proposed light rail route also goes through Subiaco - there is a community of interest there."
The State Government's proposal for Perth includes the entire Vincent, and only parts of the Burswood peninsula including Crown Perth but not the Belmont Park racecourse.
Ms Scaffidi said a capital city must be treated differently from other councils in redrawing its boundaries.
The council's campaign is backed by high-profile business groups, including the Property Council of WA.
Vincent mayor John Carey accused Perth of investing in a "high pizzazz" campaign that did not stack up logically.
"They're not talking about reform, they are talking about tinkering edges to get what they want," he said.
