Albany Mayor Milton Evans is to write to the Mayor of Peronne to convey the City’s interest in establishing a relationship based on military heritage.

Mr Evans was contacted by the Peronne Mayor after a visit to the WWI Somme battlefields by Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter in April.

A sister city relationship with an Australian town or city was discussed and Albany was mentioned as the perfect location given its Anzac links.

Cr John Walker said the move was important for Albany’s tourism development.

He said more Australian blood had been spilt in France than anywhere else and “it would be wonderful to develop the relationship”.

Cr Walker said it was appropriate Albany enter the relationship because of its Anzac history,

The City would take the lead in WA as 2015 Anzac Centenary commemorations drew closer.

Cr Jill Bostock was the only councillor who voted against the proposal.

Council also agreed to establish a committee to commence strategic planning for the centenary.

Mayor Evans will be joined on the committee by Crs Daniel Wiseman, Chris Morris and Kim Stanton.

A reserve fund was established for centenary activities and has a current balance of $50,877.

Council’s five-year business plan has earmarked $10,000 each financial year to add to the reserve.