Chaos, Confusion or C@&% Up

When Clause 17 of the City of Perth Bill was being debated in the Legislative Assembly, the discussion was almost entirely about the moving of the CoP boundary to the middle of the Swan River. Local Government Minister, Tony Simpson, repeatedly assured everyone that the change was only to ensure that the City of Perth had the necessary authority of a local government in respect of all land-based and jetty-related activities.

For all the time devoted to that subject, it appears that they all missed an issue of timing - and the City of Perth is belatedly considering that at its Council Meeting next Tuesday. The problem is a transitory,but important, one. As the City of Perth report states:
The Elizabeth Quay development is nearing completion. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority will retain development control of the area, however, the City of Perth is expected to take responsibility for the application of its local laws as well as health and other legislation administered by local government as executive functions. An area of the Elizabeth Quay development is outside of the City of Perth boundary and action is required to bring it within the jurisdiction of the City.

The CoP proposed solution is to seek a minor change in its boundaries, to include all of Elizabeth Quay, until the City of Perth Act comes into force. This appears to be a sensible approach that could be done as a minor change not requiring public consultation - and would be required even if the City of Perth Bill were not, for some reason, to become law - but the situation should never have arisen.

Kate Emery in the West Australian (below) doesn't appear to have appreciated the transitional nature of the problem and implies that it is a power grab by the City of Perth.

If you want to read what the City of Perth is really saying, you can find the report at http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/events/Agenda%20-%20Council%20Meeting%20-%20AGENDA%20-%2024%20November%202015_1.pdf, pages 94-96