Another side to Council Spin
Troy Pickard is his name, and yes, he’s a Liberal supporter – but also Mayor of our 2nd largest Council by population, Joondalup. Mr Pickard’s views about the unwillingness of Councils to embrace the wider possibilities of mergers are blunt. Does he know something we don’t?
Read MoreYou didn’t see that one coming, did you? Following his sweeping election win, Mr Barnett stated we should view his new lineup as a new govt, with new priorities. It’s a whole new ball game, in other words. It can only be a matter of time before the state begins announcing decisions about council mergers, and […]
Read MoreRecommendations The Panel recommends that: 1. The State Government give consideration to the inequities that exist in local government rating, including rate-equivalent payments and State Agreement Acts. 2. A collaborative process between State and local government be commenced to establish a new Partnership Agreement which will progress strategic issues and key result areas for both […]
Read MoreThe findings of the Independent Panel, which undertook the Metropolitan Local Govt Review, are worth contemplating. Since 1910 WA has only reduced its number of councils by 5%, compared to 40-60% elsewhere. Basically, we’ve ended up with 30 different sized metro councils, with varying levels of service provision because of differences in rates’ bases. The challenges […]
Read MoreSome have asked “Why do I ‘stick up’ for Canning’s suspended Council?”. Mayors and Councillors are frequently targeted by a displeased public – their role is the most prominent to us. We believe them to be the ones “in control”. CanningAccountability has shown in other posts that the Councillors have nothing like the power of Ministers, don’t […]
Read MoreMr Nahan stated this week he seeks to be a Senior Minister in Premier Barnett’s new cabinet. It begs the question, “What do we really know about the Member for Riverton?” Mr Nahan was an agitating factor behind the suspension of Canning Council, and its now escalating costs to ratepayers. Just now: Fmr Minister for Local […]
Read MoreQuattro Community Residents Association Inc (Queens Park), is hosting a public forum this Wednesday night. All welcome! Original Invitation here Quattro, a fast-growing, incorporated group of residents, has been concerned about the seeming lack of accountability in the planning process for some time.
Read MoreThe Good News: The City has set up an online survey for you to contribute to their submission on local govt reform. The Bad News: You only have 18 days to assess and submit your comments. CanningAccountability will be publishing more posts in relation to the Metropolitan Local Govt Review Report – including encouraging residents/stakeholders to submit […]
Read MoreDoes anyone really believe just 11 men and women were “the problem” at City of Canning? Well, until the Department of Local Government, at the direction of the next Minister for Local Government finally releases the Canning Councillors’ full answers to questions about why they acted the way they did, we cannot trust a Liberal […]
Read MoreJust confirmed – Joe Delle Donne, Mayor of City of Canning, is a candidate for the seat of Riverton. Campaign website Campaign FaceBook Only four candidates are running: Joe Delle Donne (Independent) Hannah Beazley (Labor) Marcus Atkinson (Greens) Mike Nahan (Liberals and current Member) Riverton is a marginal seat and a key player in who […]
Read MoreCommissioner Linton Reynolds was appointed by the Barnett Govt to ensure continuity of services to ratepayers and staff. Unelected and paid a salary, Mr Reynolds will be here for a very long time, as inquiries are dragged out, and costs mount. Liberal politician Mike Nahan’s constant attacks on Canning Council (as opposed to the actions of staff – whom […]
Read MoreIn eight weeks this community initiative has achieved: 2,100 visitors 25 subscribers 74 signatures to the petition to keep council inquiries open, and is succeeding in raising awareness there could be unforeseen consequences to the Barnett Govt stopping any elected representative involvement in Canning’s business for up to two years (including if preparations towards council mergers begin) In […]
Read MoreThe word is that with the return of a Barnett Govt, a new Minister will be put in place to do the heavy lifting on dissolving local councils and creating new, larger ones. Think Canning will only see its boundaries change, and everything else stay the same? More to come.
Read MoreAlready suspended Councillors of Canning could be kept out until March 2014, when yet another inquiry is set to end. However, this may mean we are not free to vote in new Councillors at local government elections later this year. With the current Council suspended in November, a new 12 month inquiry three months away, […]
Read MoreYep, by the time the seemingly endless process of inquiries in to Canning is over, ratepayers’ monies will be the worse for it. Minister for Local Govt, John Castrilli, has today announced a second inquiry, complete with Barrister oversight, the powers of a Royal Commission and a 12 month time frame. In a situation getting more dramatic by […]
Read MoreThe Commissioner’s New Year message appears to suggest so. It may also be revealing the means to achieve the Barnett Government’s intent to amalgamate councils: use of a Commissioner to expedite the process. The issues “exposed” during the inquiry don’t stand out as wildly different to those implied constantly of other councils and state govt departments. The Minister for Local Government, […]
Read MoreCouncillor Megan O’Donnell was recently forced to go public in The West Australian, in an attempt to get answers on the immediate future for City of Canning’s Council and its residents. why has the Shire of Ashburton, despite the discovery of serious probity issues resulting in the dismissal of its CEO, only been suspended for 6 months […]
Read MoreYet another Council has just been suspended. A third is under review. Again “the need for training”, as relates to Councillors, is offered up as the problem and the solution to management issues at the local government level. But is the situation that simple? The City of Canning inquiry was sparked by Mayor Delle Donne asking the […]
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Canning Accountability 