Reform Timeline

Aug 2004: WALGA AGM motion requests the Association conduct a forum on structural reform.
Nov 2004: Statewide forum held featuring former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, who drove reform in that state
Feb 2005: State Election - Labor Government returned to power.
7 Aug 2005: WALGA AGM passes resolution for the Association to lead the development of a framework to help Councils with reform.
Nov 2005: Systemic Sustainability Study Panel appointed to research and investigate sustainability of Local Government in WA.
5 Aug 2006: SSS Panel Interim Report In Your Hands finds 58% of WA Local Governments are unsustainable on their own source revenue.
Dec 2006: SSS Panel Final Report In Your Hands makes 41 recommendations for sector reform.
Apr 2007: WALGA convenes five working groups of Elected Members and senior managers from across the State to address issues raised by the report.
1 July 2007: Voluntary amalgamation of the City of Geraldton and the Shire of Greenough.
1 July 2007: Voluntary amalgamation of the Town of Northam and the Shire of Northam.
28 Feb 2008: SSS Report The Journey - Sustainability into the Future released for extensive consultation with the Local Government sector.
1 July 2008: Voluntary amalgamation of the Shire of Broomehill and the Shire of Tambellup.
Sept 2008: During the election campaign, all three major political parties (Labor, Liberal, Nationals) commit to a policy not to force Local Government amalgamations.
Sept 2008: State Election - Liberal-National Government elected.
15 Sept 2008: The Journey - Sustainability into the Future endorsed by state wide forum of Local Government sector.
Oct 2008: New Local Government Minister John Castrilli commits to implement most recommendations of The Journey report and work on review of the remainder.
Dec 2008: Working groups appointed by Minister Castrilli to address and progress the recommendations of the SSS Report.
5 Feb 2009: Minister Castrilli announces new process with August deadline for Councils to provide amalgamation plans or be forced by legislation to merge.
30 Apr 2009: State Government deadline for Local Governments to complete sustainability checklists.
Jul 2009: State Government provides Local Governments with sustainability scores of 1 to 3.
7 Aug 2009: Premier Colin Barnett says that while there may not be forced amalgamations, smaller Councils will be left to "wither on the vine" without government funding.
Dec 2009: State Government interim report reveals 9 Councils to amalgamate into three new entities, more than 65 Councils directed to form Regional Transition Groups and to amalgamate by 2013, while others were assigned Regional Collaborative Groups to share resources but not amalgamate. Confusion over consequences should Councils choose not to comply with State Government’s recommendations.
9 Feb 2010: More than 400 Local Government representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with the Minister for Local Government’s reform program at a State-wide forum held at Ascot Racecourse. A nine point Communiqué was developed as a result of the forum - to view the Communiqué, please click here