CATALYSE ® empowering decision makers © 2013 Local Government Reform Survey March 2013.

CATALYSE® empowering decision makers © 2013

Local Government Reform SurveyMarch 2013

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Table of Contents

2

Executive Summary 3

The study 5

Reform options 9

Change process 17

Executive Summary

3

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People in the City of Fremantle are open to change….just 1 in 5 support keeping the status quo with council boundaries.

There is most potential for a merger between the City of Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle with 3 in 5 residents supporting this amalgamation option.

City of Fremantle residents are fairly divided over the option to merge with the Town of East Fremantle and incorporate Rottnest Island, small parts of the City of Melville and the City of Cockburn with about half of residents opposing this amalgamation option.

Other amalgamation options which would incorporate larger areas (merging the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, Rottnest Island, a major part of the City of Melville, and part of the City of Cockburn, while losing the majority of North Fremantle OR merging the City of Fremantle with the Town of East Fremantle, City of Melville and Rottnest Island) are met with the strongest opposition. Only about 1 in 4 support these options.

Residents would like to be involved in the decision making process. The majority of residents would like to have the final say, along with other ratepayers, on any possible merger by way of a vote.

Executive Summary

4

The Study

5

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During Feb-March 2013, CATALYSE® conducted a community survey with residents, ratepayers and businesses within the City of Fremantle. The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate community opinion on the issue of local government reform.1227 valid responses were received.• Surveys were mailed to all households within the

City of Fremantle including a foreword providing respondents with information about possible reform options, processes and implications.

• Adult residents were invited to complete and return a survey using a reply paid envelope, or to submit their responses online.

• As older respondents were over represented in the final sample, responses were weighted accordingly

• Sampling precision is +/- 3% at the 95% confidence interval.

• An online survey was also promoted and made available to all City of Fremantle ratepayers and business owners and managers.

• Respondents’ name and contact details were collected and duplicate responses were removed.

The Study

6

98

88

16

50

48

2

28

35

37

14

26

13

13

3

8

10

13

% of all respondents (unweighted)

% of respondents living in City of Fremantle (weighted)

7

31

62

(unweighted)

Live in City of Fremantle

Ratepayer in City of Fremantle

Own or manage a business in City of Fremantle

Male

Female

Both responded

18-34 years

35-54 years

55+ years

Beaconsfield

Fremantle

Hilton

North Fremantle

O'Connor

Samson

South Fremantle

White Gum Valley

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Five options are being considered for the City of Fremantle: Option A – the City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle, incorporate Rottnest Island, a major part of the City of Melville, and part of the City of Cockburn, while losing the majority of North Fremantle. This is the MLGRP’s preferred option.

Option B – the City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle and City of Melville, and incorporate Rottnest Island.

Option C - the City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle and incorporate Rottnest Island, small parts of the City of Melville and the City of Cockburn.

Option D – the City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle only.

Option E - no change to the City of Fremantle’s existing boundaries. These options are mapped on the next page.

Options being considered for the City of Fremantle

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Options being considered for the City of Fremantle cont.

8

Reform options

9

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Q. Which option do you MOSTLY prefer for the City of Fremantle? Please select one response only from the options provided.Base: Residents who provided a valid response (n = 1186)

Preferences are mixed, but stronger for a merger with East Fremantle

10

21

10

23

28

18Chart Title

Option A - City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle, incorporate Rottnest Island, a major part of the City of Melville, and part of the City of Cockburn, while losing the majority of North Fremantle

Option B - City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle and City of Melville, and incorporate Rottnest Island

Option C - City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle and incorporate Rottnest Island, small parts of the City of Melville and the City of Cockburn

Option D - City of Fremantle to merge with the Town of East Fremantle only

Option E - No change to the City of Fremantle’s existing boundaries

Which option do you MOSTLY prefer for the City of Fremantle?

% respondents

A

B

CD

E

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Q. Which option do you MOSTLY prefer for the City of Fremantle? Please select one response only from the options provided.Base: Those who provided a valid response – Residents (n = 1186); Own or manage a business (n = 190)

Preferred merger optionAcross the community

11

% of respondentsMerge with... Option A Option B Option C Option D Option E

Residents in City of Fremantle

Town of East Fremantle, incorporate

Rottnest Island, a major part of the City of Melville, and part of the

City of Cockburn, while losing the

majority of North Fremantle

Town of East Fremantle and City

of Melville, and incorporate

Rottnest Island

Town of East Fremantle and

incorporate Rottnest Island,

small parts of the City of Melville and

the City of Cockburn

Town of East Fremantle only

No change to the City of Fremantle’s

existing boundaries

Male 28% ▲ 10% 23% 23% 15%Female 15% 9% 22% 33% ▲ 21% ▲18-34 years 20% 3% 31% ▲ 30% 15%35-54 years 20% 11% 18% 32% ▲ 19%55+ years 23% 14% 20% 24% 19%Beaconsfield 20% 10% 25% 28% ▲ 17%Fremantle 17% 11% 24% 30% ▲ 19%Hilton 20% 7% ▼ 18% 32% ▲ 23%North Fremantle 42% ▲ 9% 19% 17% 13%O’Connor^ 15% 15% 17% 22% 31% ▲Samson 26% 16% 17% 28% ▲ 14%South Fremantle 20% 4% ▼ 29% ▲ 38% ▲ 8% ▼White Gum Valley 12% ▼ 11% 25% 28% ▲ 24%Businesses in City of FremantleOwn or manage a business 34% ▲ 11% 16% ▼ 23% 16%

= significant variance▲▼ = notable variance▲▼

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Q. The State Government review has called for the City of Fremantle to be merged with other councils. A number of options are being considered. Do you support or oppose the following options?Base: Residents who provided a valid response (n = varies from 1093 to 1121)

There is most support for a merger with East Fremantle

12

Option A - Merge the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, parts of the City of Melville and City of Cockburn, with less of North Fremantle

Option B - Merge the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle and City of Melville

Option C - Merge the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, parts of the City of Melville and

City of Cockburn

Option D - Merge the City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle

28

27

39

59

65

59

47

28

7

14

14

14

Support Oppose Unsure

% of respondents (City of Fremantle residents)

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Q. The State Government review has called for the City of Fremantle to be merged with other councils. A number of options are being considered. Do you support or oppose the following options?Base: Those who provided a valid response – Residents (n = 1121); Own or manage a business (n = 180)

1 in 4 support Option A:City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, parts of City of Melville and City of Cockburn, less of North Fremantle

13

28

65

7

Chart Title

Merge the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, parts of the City

of Melville and City of Cockburn, with less of North Fremantle

% of respondents(city of Fremantle residents)

= significant variance▲▼

% of respondentsCity of Fremantle residents Support OpposeMale 34% ▲ 59%Female 22% 71% ▲18-34 years 25% 67%35-54 years 26% 67%55+ years 33% ▲ 61%Beaconsfield 31% 60%Fremantle 24% 71% ▲Hilton 24% 67%North Fremantle 45% ▲ 50%O’Connor^ 22% 78% ▲Samson 41% ▲ 47%South Fremantle 27% 66%White Gum Valley 14% 78% ▲City of Fremantle businessesOwn or manage a business 39% ▲ 57%

Support

Oppose

Unsure

Only 1 in 4 support this amalgamation option, and the majority oppose it.There is stronger support among residents in North Fremantle and Samson, followed by 55+ year olds, males and businesses. Opposition is stronger among females, residents in Fremantle, O’Connor and White Gum Valley.

= notable variance▲▼

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Only 1 in 4 support this amalgamation option, and the majority oppose it.There is stronger support among residents in Samson, followed by males. Opposition is stronger among residents in South Fremantle, Hilton and 55+ year olds.


1 in 4 support Option B:City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle and City of Melville

14

27

59

14

Chart Title

Merge the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle and City of Melville


% of respondentsCity of Fremantle residents Support OpposeMale 30% ▲ 58%Female 24% 59%18-34 years 27% 54%35-54 years 27% 60%55+ years 28% 62% ▲Beaconsfield 27% 58%Fremantle 30% 57%Hilton 22% 67% ▲North Fremantle 22% 54%O’Connor 27% 60%Samson 53% ▲ 39%South Fremantle 20% 72% ▲White Gum Valley 21% 63%City of Fremantle businessesOwn or manage a business 33% 56%

Support

Oppose

Unsure


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2 in 5 support this amalgamation option, however about half oppose it.There is stronger support among 18-34 year olds. Opposition is stronger among older residents and residents in Samson.


2 in 5 support Option C:City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, parts of City of Melville and City of Cockburn

15

39

47

14

Chart Title

Merge the City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, parts of the City of

Melville and City of Cockburn


% of respondentsCity of Fremantle residents Support OpposeMale 41% 47%Female 37% 48%18-34 years 47% ▲ 39%35-54 years 37% 48%55+ years 34% 55%Beaconsfield 42% 47%Fremantle 43% 45%Hilton 34% 45%North Fremantle 36% 52%O’Connor^ 32% 42%Samson 26% 62% ▲South Fremantle 42% 45%White Gum Valley 42% 44%City of Fremantle businessesOwn or manage a business 38% 50%

Support

Oppose

Unsure


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This is the most supported amalgamation option.There is strongest support among younger adults, followed by females, residents in Fremantle, Samson, South Fremantle and White Gum Valley. Opposition is stronger among males, seniors, residents in Hilton and businesses.


3 in 5 support Option D:City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle

16

5928

14

Chart Title

Merge the City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle


% of respondentsCity of Fremantle residents Support OpposeMale 52% 33% ▲Female 65% ▲ 22%18-34 years 70% 16%35-54 years 61% 25%55+ years 47% 40%Beaconsfield 56% 30%Fremantle 64% ▲ 24%Hilton 50% 36% ▲North Fremantle 51% 31%O’Connor^ 45% 21%Samson 63% ▲ 30%South Fremantle 63% ▲ 23%White Gum Valley 64% ▲ 22%City of Fremantle businessesOwn or manage a business 51% 39% ▲

SupportOppose

Unsure


Change process

17

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Q. If the City of Fremantle is to have its boundaries changed or to be merged with other local governments, which of the following best describes how you believe the process should occur? Please select one response only from the options provided.Base: Residents who provided a valid response (n = 1190)

More than half of residents want to vote on possible reform

18

28

13

55

4 Chart Title

Option A - State government should proceed to imple-ment local government reform and mergers in its best judgement according to the advice of the government's MLGRP

Option B - Local government reform and mergers should only occur if it is with the agreement by resolution of the council of the City of Fremantle

Option C - Local government reform and mergers should only occur if it is with the formal consent by vote of a majority of residents and ratepayers of Fremantle

Option D - By another process

If the City of Fremantle is to have its boundaries changed or to be merged with other local governments, which of the following best describes how you believe the process should occur?

% respondents

A

BC

D

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Q. If the City of Fremantle is to have its boundaries changed or to be merged with other local governments, which of the following best describes how you believe the process should occur? Please select one response only from the options provided.Base: Those who provided a valid response – Residents (n = 1190); Own or manage a business (n = 189)

Preferred change processAcross the community

19

% of respondentsOption A Option B Option C Option D

City of Fremantle residents

State government should proceed to implement reform

Reform should only occur with the

agreement of the City of Fremantle

Reform should only occur with the agreement of residents and ratepayers of

Fremantle

Reform should occur by another process

Male 35% ▲ 12% 49% 4%

Female 22% 14% 61% ▲ 3%

18-34 years 24% 17% 55% 3%

35-54 years 28% 12% 56% 4%

55+ years 31% ▲ 11% 54% 3%

Beaconsfield 25% 11% 62% ▲ 2%

Fremantle 29% 14% 53% 4%

Hilton 25% 11% 56% 8%

North Fremantle 44% ▲ 7% ▼ 47% 2%

O’Connor 21% 13% 62% ▲ 4%

Samson 37% ▲ 12% 51% 1%

South Fremantle 25% 16% 56% 3%

White Gum Valley 17% ▼ 21% ▲ 60% ▲ 2%

City of Fremantle businessesOwn or manage a business 44% ▲ 11% 40% ▼ 5%


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Q. If the City of Fremantle is to have its boundaries changed or to be merged with other local governments, which of the following best describes how you believe the process should occur? Please select one response only from the options provided.Base: Residents who feel ‘another process’ is required to implement a merger and change boundaries

Possible merger and boundary change processesSuggestions among residents who feel another process is required

20

Most residents who would prefer another change process suggest a combined approach, for example:• “A combination of all of the above. It would be unwise to ignore the advice of 1 (State Government); 2 (City of

Fremantle) and 3 (residents and ratepayers) should be involved in the decision making process plus that of potentially affected councils & communities.”

• “Combination of ALL three with ratepayers having greatest voting power.”• “Combined approach which doesn't involve vested interests, e.g. Real estate values, but addressing proper functioning

of region.”• “Government should implement in its judgement after considering the MLGRP advice and a survey of residents and

ratepayers (or public consultation process).”• “Local government reform and mergers should only occur with the formal consent by vote of a majority of residents

and ratepayers of Fremantle and any other local authority affected. The results should be given equal weight for each locality so that bigger Councils don't outweigh smaller ones by population size.”

• “State Government decide - but after further and more realistic discussion with Local Government.”• “Public meetings and ALL of the above decision pathways, please. Please do not proceed with a massive scaled

amalgamation - it would render 'Local Government' more of a farce than it already is. Don't exacerbate citizens' poverty of power.”

• “Responses 2 (City of Fremantle) and 3 (residents and ratepayers) should not be separated. I suggest 'by another process' to read Local Government reform and mergers should only occur after the formal consent of residents and ratepayers has been determined by vote, which would then better inform the Council of the City of Fremantle in their resolution discussions.”

CATALYSE® empowering decision makers © 2013

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a: Office 3, 996 Hay Street,Perth WA 6000

p: PO Box 8007,Cloisters Square WA 6850

t: +618 9226 5674f: +618 9226 5676e: [email protected]: catalyse.com.au

CATALYSE is proud to support Indigenous artists.

“Fireworks” is the exciting work of Yinjaa-Barni Artist, Maudie Jerrold.

Yinjaa-Barni Artists are traditional owners from the Fortescue River region. Their paintings depict the remarkable country of the Pilbara in Western Australia's north-west. The contrasts of the harsh environment with the hidden gorges of cool water, the seeds and flowers bursting out after rain, are moments that belong to the great Creation stories of the Marrga.

Other works may be viewed at the Japingka Gallery in Fremantle [www.japingka.com.au].

CATALYSE ® empowering decision makers © 2013 Local Government Reform Survey March 2013.

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Transcript of CATALYSE ® empowering decision makers © 2013 Local Government Reform Survey March 2013.