Greater Perth Movement
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The Greater Perth Movement describes a movement in the first three decades of the twentieth century to consolidate the town planning and urban administration of the Perth metropolitan region of Western Australia under a single municipal government.[1] The movement is characterised as a period of conflict between those who sought a metropolitan municipal authority with control of key infrastructure and services, and the growth of state government control via statutory authorities.[2]
The movement is most strongly associated with its chief proponent, W.E. Bold, who was influenced by ideas of municipal socialism, and saw its initial successes in the amalgamation of the local governments of Leederville, North Perth, and Perth in 1914, joined by Victoria Park in 1917.[3] A further proposal to merge Subiaco into the City of Perth was defeated in a 1935 referendum,[4][5] followed by a 1938 Royal Commission into Bold's administration of the City of Perth which effectively marked the end of his political influence and the movement itself.
- 1906 - Perth Chief Clerk WE Bold delivers an address to the Western Australian Municipal Officers' Association outlining a vision of municipal socialism.
- 1908 - The City of Perth Council purchases the Perth Gas Co. at considerable expense.
- 1912 - The Council unsuccessfully bids against the state Labor government to purchase the Tramway.
- 1914 - WE Bold sent by Council to further investigate municipal developments in Britain and North America.
- 1917 - The City of Perth purchased the Limekilns Estate (comprising 1300 acres (526 ha)), adjacent to their endowment lands.