Nedlands Council to fight City of Perth boundary expansion

By Claire Egan Nedlands Mayor Max Hipkins is imploring the City of Perth not to go ahead with boundary changes that would potentially see Hollywood Private Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and the University of Western Australia included under the City of Perth. The City of Nedlands has been fighting the state government against forced amalgamation and while the battle was won, they now face new challenges with the City of Perth Act proposing to expand their boundaries to include sites which provide revenue for the City. “I have been authorised by my council to vigorously advocate for the retention of Hollywood Private Hospital within the boundaries of the City of Nedlands and also for the retention of UWA and QEII in the western suburbs,” said Mayor Hipkins. “Hollywood Private Hospital is our biggest ratepayer. It pays rates of more than $630,000 each year, a substantial income for the City of Nedlands being a medium-sized council. It probably doesn’t mean much to the City of Perth with its multi-storey buildings and the high rates they pay,” he said. While the City of Nedlands rate revenue is $20 million per year, Mayor Hopkins believes the loss will be enough to impact on rates or services in the area. “If we lose Hollywood Private Hospital, that substantial money lost would either result in a reduction in services or an increase in rates if we were to maintain the same level of services,” said Mayor Hipkins. Kathy Biddle, a Nedlands resident and ratepayer, doesn’t believe the loss of revenue from Hollywood Hospital will greatly impact rates. “I looked at the revenue for Hollywood Hospital and it was around $600,000 which is really just a drop in the bucket, I don’t think it will have a huge impact per household if the rates were to go up,” said Ms Biddle. “The people who own a home in Nedlands can afford to pay rates in Nedlands,” she said. The City of Perth boundaries’ legislation is expected to go before state cabinet for approval in the next few weeks.