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WALGA's Contribution

Throughout the State Government Minister's reform process, WALGA has maintained a consistent position. It's based on the principles and recommendations of the Systemic Sustainability Study (SSS) conducted in 2006.

According to these principles, WALGA supports voluntary reform, not forced amalgamations. The underlying premise is regional service cooperation with local political representation.

We believe reform must deliver:

  1. Improved services for the community.
  2. An appropriate number of better trained and better remunerated Elected Members.

Immediately after the Minister's amalgamation deadline announcement in February 2009, WALGA began working on behalf of its Members. This effort included:

  • Lobbying Members of Parliament to commit to the principles of the SSS Report.
  • Lobbying the Minister for Local Government to ensure that any adjustment to Local Government boundaries would be based on an appropriate business case that is demonstrated to benefit Local Government.
  • Expressing to the Minister that the six-month timeframe specified was inadequate given the work involved in the process.
  • Supporting Councils throughout the reform process.

WALGA has continued to support Local Government throughout the process by:

  • Participating in working groups formed by the Minister. These addressed areas of corporate and strategic planning, commercial enterprise and urban development, legislative reform, training and capacity-building as part of Local Government reform.
  • Hosting two forums to help guide Local Government reform. These informed the sector about reform experiences in WA and in other states such as Queensland and South Australia.
  • Helping Council discussions within Regional Groups, facilitating community meetings, and providing advice and research on specific issues raised by Local Governments.
  • Establishing a telephone hotline, in conjunction with Local Government Insurance Services, to support Local Government staff and Elected Members through the uncertainty of structural reform.

WALGA is also in the process of expanding the SSS Report - The Journey: Sustainability into the Future - to provide best practice options for Local Governments.