Divisions between metropolitan councils following the announcement of the Western Australian Government’s preferred local government boundaries will need to be quickly overcome for the benefit of their communities.
In responding to the announcement, the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) said it was clear that some councils were pleased with the Minister’s preferred boundaries while others were dissatisfied.
In November the Local Government Minister announced the final instalment in his preferred model of 15 councils for the metropolitan area – which is half the current number of Councils but one more than the State Government plan announced in July.
WALGA President Troy Pickard said the diversity of reactions from councils to the announcement was understandable but he urged elected members not to put at risk their role in the process in representing the interests of their communities.
He reminded the sector that the Minister’s proposed boundaries were in no way a fait accompli and that it was now time for the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) to consider both the Minister’s and the sector’s submissions in making their recommendations.
“The whole of the Local Government sector, both metropolitan and regional, will now be looking to the LGAB to consider the submissions on their merits and to provide independent recommendations that are in the best interests of the communities affected.
“It is understandable the reaction from councils that believe they have not been heard by the Minister however I would urge those elected members not to turn their back on the process.
“There remains the opportunity to continue to represent the best interests of their communities which should be far more palatable than having commissioners appointed to run any transition.
“Elected members are the only people each community has to represent their specific best interests in this process.”
Councillor Pickard said the Minister’s announcement had at least provided clarity as to the State Government’s preferred model for metropolitan councils but questioned why it had taken so long.
“The local government sector has languished for more than a year since the metropolitan review was completed with a lack of direction and clarity from the State Government.
“That clarity is welcomed but there needs to be an acknowledgement of the anxiety it has caused to both elected representatives and local government staff who have lived under a cloud as to their employment and future.
“Even the recent process of announcing the State Government’s position over a couple of weeks rather than announcing it all together was unnecessary and caused undue stress in the sector.”
Councillor Pickard reiterated that WALGA and the local government sector had expectations that the LGAB would take all pertinent information into consideration in reviewing the merits of the submissions from which to make their recommendations.
“The objective of any structural reform of Local Government has to be to deliver greater economic, social and environmental sustainability for communities.
“WALGA is committed to stand by all metropolitan Councils as they work through their responses and strategies.”
