Western suburbs residents angry after Nedlands council members a no-show for budget talks

Western suburbs residents were left dumbfounded on Wednesday night after more than half of their council’s members failed to show for a meeting to revisit its budget. The City of Nedlands council chamber was filled with residents ahead of a special meeting called by three councillors in a last-ditch effort to consider raising the city’s rates — despite rates notices already being issued — to keep city projects and operations afloat. But despite managing to pull in almost 40 members of the public in just a few hours notice, the meeting was not able to go ahead as it did not have enough council members attending. Only councillors Hengameh Amiry, Fergus Bennett, Noel Youngman — who all called the meeting — and Ben Hodson attended. The five remaining council members — including mayor Fiona Argyle — were apologies for the meeting. Cr Youngman said it was “really embarrassing and pretty horrible”. “We have put in massive hours and we’re pretty disappointed that we couldn’t get one more councillor to show up. I would have thought the mayor would have shown up as well,” he said. Cr Amiry said another special council meeting had been called for Monday in hopes enough council members would be able to attend. “I think sometimes you just have to learn to shine a light on these things, and then let the facts speak for themselves,” she said. Members of the public at the meeting included bushland volunteers, families of children attending Point Resolution Childcare Centre and residents of Kennedia Lane, who have all been hit by the city’s budget cuts. Melon Hill Bushland Group volunteer Eliza Clapin said she was shocked at the low turnout. “I didn’t think they wouldn’t show,” she said. The Melon Hill Bushland Group is facing a $500,000 cut to its contractor work — a service its members claim to be a key function in handling the specialised work that goes beyond their capability. “Without these funds, there’s going to be twice the amount of work next year,” Ms Clapin said. “These assets don’t just a benefit our bushland group, but it’s a service for the entire community.” The pending closure of the council-operated Point Resolution Childcare Centre in Dalkeith also prompted families to attend Wednesday’s meeting after being given only six weeks to find an alterative childcare facility for their kids. “Tonight was disrespectful and disgraceful, and it’s quite unbelievable that something like this could happen in Australia,” PRCC parent Tim Cottee said. The 26 families were told the centre would be closed because of safety issues. “We were told last week by the council that there were serious safety issues with the building, like the ceiling was about to fall in,” PRCC parent Kelly Morgan said. “So of course we were wanting to read this safety report .... but it has remained confidential.” PRCC parent Fiona McNeilly said the 40-year-old facility was “cherished” by its members and it would be “incredibly hard” to find a suitable alternative in such a short period of time. “It’s currently the middle of the school year, so it’s pretty much impossible to find a facility in less than six weeks time,” she said.