WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell said Councils across the State were now demanding clarification on the process following the most recent shift in the State Government’s approach.  

In response to the concerns of WA Local Governments, WALGA will run a State-wide Reform Forum early next month at which Local Government Minister John Castrilli will speak on the latest stage of the process.

More than 300 representatives of WA Councils are expected to attend the day forum at Ascot race course on Tuesday, 9 February.

Cr Mitchell said many Councils were confused and angry after making their reform submissions last September when advised by the Minister of a new ‘transition process’ which seems to have little or no regard for their submissions.

Under that process, nine Councils will amalgamate into three new entities; approximately 65 Councils have been directed to form Regional Transition Groups and to amalgamate by 2013; while others were assigned Regional Collaborative Groups to share resources but not amalgamate.

Adding to the confusion, the Minister recently decided to first support, then reject, and then again support an amalgamation proposal by the Shires of Yilgarn and Westonia.

Cr Mitchell said Councils had framed their reform submissions in consultation with their communities and consequently expected the Minister would have placed greater credence on the preferred options. 

“It is important that the Minister appreciates the frustration and confusion in the sector but also that he has an opportunity to outline the process and address concerns,” Cr Mitchell said.

“There is debate that if the Minister is assigning Councils to various groupings without an opportunity to explore alternatives then the voluntary nature of the process is compromised.

“WALGA has maintained since the State Government’s process commenced almost a year ago that it would only support reform based on voluntary participation as local community support is vital to ensuring long term sustainable change.”

The State-wide forum on Tuesday, 9 February at the Ascot race course will have registrations from 10am to start at 10.30am. The Minister has agreed to address the forum at the start of the day.

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