Doing away with the Perth City Council’s ‘secret’ briefing meetings is high on Peter Richardson’s agenda.
Dr Richardson, an East Perth obstetrician, former Federal politician and former Perth City councillor, wants Federal Government-style select committees put in place instead.
“I want council to be more open and accountable. On off-council weeks we should do away with the informal briefing meetings where most issues are decided,” he said. “It is better to debate issues.”
Dr Richardson proposes setting up four committees with each committee handling a director’s portfolio.
“At least we could try this for three months,” he said.
Dr Richardson said a city planner was vital and should be put to work on drawing a convention centre to the city and sinking the railway line between the CBD and Northbridge.
“If the railway line is sunk, Forrest Place will go back to its place as an icon. I remember when I was young Prime Ministers used to speak there,” he said.
Dr Richardson said the city was soon going to find itself short of recreational facilities for the residents starting to live there.
“It needs to be planned rather than the exercises in ad hocery of today,” he said. “We had a lot of good plans and they all fell away.”
Dr Richardson said safety and security had to be addressed.
He wants to establish a council security force, similar to the one put in place by the Melbourne City Council.
“Some Perth suburban local governments prove it works well if done in conjunction with the police.”
Dr Richardson said he was also opposed to street markets in Murray Street or Lake Street.
