Lord mayor Basil Zempilas launches petition calling on WA Govt to ‘pause’ new laws to build East Perth Primary

Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has launched a petition as part of his latest attack against the State Government over plans to build a new primary school in East Perth. The petition — which has drawn a stinging response from Planning Minister John Carey — has been signed by more than 106 people as of Wednesday afternoon and calls on the State Government to “immediately pause” the introduction of new laws to seize the East Perth Queens Gardens carpark and use two plots to build East Perth Primary School. The petition — which will be put to the Legislative Council by MLC Neil Thomson in October — demands the State Government “support property rights”, stating “property rights matter and that it is neither fair nor reasonable for the Government to take land belonging to ratepayers without holding good-faith discussions and negotiations”. The petition also demands the Legislative Council refer the Bill to the Standing Committee on Legislation for an “inquiry to assess whether the Government’s proposed interference with the City of Perth’s property rights is necessary, in the public interest, fair and proportionate”. It comes just weeks after Education Minister Tony Buti announced the State Government would seize the carpark and build the CBD’s first public primary school. While the Government has offered the city $4.2 million for lost carpark revenue over the next five years, Mr Zempilas claims the city is owed more than $40m for surrendering the land. The $4.2m payment will come on top of a third plot being made available for development, something the Government claims would benefit the city to the tune of $27m. Mr Zempilas — who is the Liberal candidate for Churchlands and a Seven West Media employee — launched the petition on Tuesday and said the city was in support of the primary school but wanted “fair compensation for the land for City of Perth ratepayers”. “The Cook Government has introduced very specific and targeted legislation into State Parliament to take City of Perth-owned land for zero dollars compensation,” he told PerthNow. “This petition is to send a message to the Cook Government that property rights matter and it is not acceptable for the Government to take land without good-faith negotiations. “I’m urging everyone who supports property rights and opposes unfair State Government interference with those rights to sign this petition.” Mr Carey accused Mr Zempilas of failing to balance his candidacy for the Liberal Party and his role as Lord Mayor and said the new school would provide up to $60m for the City of Perth. “It’s clear that contrary to the representation of this WA Liberal Party-sponsored petition by Basil Zempilas, this is not a City of Perth council or administration endorsed petition and was not put forward to City of Perth councillors to vote on,” he told PerthNow. “It’s disappointing that the Liberal candidate for Churchlands continues to circumnavigate proper processes regarding balancing his candidacy for the WA Liberals with the important role of Lord Mayor of Perth. “At every opportunity, the Lord Mayor and the WA Liberals have sought to oppose and delay the delivery of the new East Perth Primary School. “The new East Perth Primary School has already been further delayed due to the continued political tactics of Basil Zempilas and the WA Liberals, however, our Government has committed to delivering the new school for first term 2029. “The State Government is providing $4.2m in recognition of the loss of car parking revenue to the city during the construction of the East Perth Primary School at the Queens Gardens location. “This payment is based on the city’s own financial data. “Post construction of the East Perth Primary School, State Government modelling shows the development of the site for housing will see the city be better off economically and financially to the tune of more than $60m, in terms of land value and the significant uplift in rate revenue for the City of Perth.”