City of Swan Council has voted not to move forward with any consideration of a boundary change with the Town of Bassendean.
At the City’s 2024 Annual Electors Meeting in February, an elector asked the City to examine the possibility of transferring part of Swan to Bassendean.
There was a similar request made by an elector at Bassendean’s Annual Electors Meeting, after which the Town indicated its willingness to consider the matter.
In March, Council asked staff to prepare a report outlining the benefits to the City of any such realignment.
“To be clear, there has been no formal proposal for a boundary change,” Tanya Richardson, City of Swan Mayor, said.
“The WA Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) is the statutory body that assesses formal proposals for local government boundary changes.
“However, as is appropriate and respectful, our Council carefully considered the issue.”
The City’s report was based on the LGAB’s eight guiding principles for considering boundary changes. It assessed the issue from three levels – City-wide, ward (Midland-Guildford) and suburb (Guildford).
At a Council meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Council voted not to progress the matter further.
Council also voted to communicate its decision to the Town of Bassendean and Guildford residents.
“The report did not support adjusting the City’s boundary with Bassendean under any of the eight guiding principles,” Mayor Richardson said.
“It found that while the Town of Bassendean may benefit, the City and the residents involved in the transfer would not.
“There would be financial disadvantages and loss of services for our residents.”
To view the report, please see item 14.2.1 of the June 12, 2024 Council meeting agenda: www.swan.wa.gov.au/awcontent/Web/Documents/Public-Agenda.pdf.