Melville Signs Over Land to Canning as Part of Boundary Change

Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey and Canning Mayor Dr Mick Lekias met at the site of the boundary change to formally recognise the land swap, which came into effect on 1 July 2008.

The eastern boundary of the City of Melville (north of South Street) has been moved west to the middle of Karel Avenue, which means the entire suburb of Willetton is now located within the City of Canning. Previously, a small portion of the boundary ran east of Karel Avenue where 83 Willetton properties were part of the City of Melville.

The two cities began the process of altering the boundary in late 2005, including undertaking community consultation. Both councils believed there were a number of reasons why the small area should be transferred to the City of Canning.

Mayor Aubrey said the residents east of Karel Avenue had a greater affinity with the City of Canning than the City of Melville.  “This area was the only part of Willetton located in the City of Melville with residents in the area more likely to use services and facilities in the City of Canning,” he said. “Additionally, our service delivery was sometimes problematic as there were some streets east of Karel Avenue partly serviced by Melville and partly serviced by Canning.  This could create confusion and inconveniences for residents in the area.”

Canning Mayor Dr Lekias welcomed the new residents to the City of Canning.  “The decision to realign the boundary was on the drawing board for some time by mutual agreement with consultation with the ratepayers of both the cities of Canning and Melville,” he said. “A decision was made to realign the boundaries so that no longer did ambiguities exist as to who was to deliver services to people in the area.”

After both Melville and Canning councils agreed to the boundary change, they prepared a submission to the Local Government Advisory Board to change the Willetton boundary to the centre of Karel Avenue.  In October 2007, the Minister for Local Government accepted the recommendations made by the Local Government Advisory Board in relation to the amendment of the district and ward boundaries of both Councils.

Gazettal of the boundary change was included in the Government Gazette, dated 29 April 2008, with the order to come into operation on 1 July 2008.

Both councils have sent letters out to affected residents, informing them of the boundary change, and have worked closely to ensure a smooth transition for property owners and residents.

Mayor Aubrey said the Karel Avenue boundary change was one of a number of logical boundary changes that should be made to the City’s borders. “We hope to work in cooperation with surrounding councils to achieve reciprocal district boundary changes that are commonsense,” he said.