No plan to bring Northbridge into Town of Vincent under consideration

29/5/96

Local Government Minister Paul Omodei said he had no proposal before him to bring Northbridge into the Town of Vincent. It was not under consideration by the Government.

Mr Omodei said Northbridge was retained within the City of Perth because the capital city precinct was seen as a cultural, civic and commercial centre. Northbridge included the cultural precinct of the Alexander Library, the museum and art gallery.

He said councils across Western Australia faced many changes when the new Local Government Act was enacted on July 1, and a specific reform would be the creation of a Local Government Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board would be responsible for considering and inquiring into all proposals for constitutional change including those relating to district or ward boundaries or changes to councillor numbers.

"The Advisory Board will be the appropriate body to consider any submission the Vincent Town Council might wish to make," Mr Omodei said.

"I expect the City of Perth will have its own views as well.

"Affected electors (if they number at least 250 people or 10 per cent of the total number of affected electors, whichever is the lesser) may also put proposals for constitutional change to the Advisory Board."

Media contact: Amanda O'Brien 366 0200 or 222 9595