In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Bill Mitchell, President of the Western Australian Local Government Association.
The idea that greater efficiencies and better outcomes can be achieved through the structural reform of the Local Government sector is not a new concept. State Governments, in all States, have periodically established various panels, commissions, review boards and advisory bodies to propose changes to the composition of Local Government towards these ends.
Equally, the quest for increased efficiency and effectiveness has often been initiated by Local Governments themselves through regional cooperation and resource sharing. Often, this is promoted as a preferred alternative to structural change, as it can provide economies of scale while retaining local political autonomy.
In Western Australia, Local Governments have largely been spared the trauma of severe structural reform experienced in other States. While an amalgamation recently occurred in Albany, and reforms have been explored in other regional centres, the Local Government landscape remains largely unaffected.
Is this likely to remain the case after the next State Election to be held by February 2005?
The current State Government has always used the carefully chosen words, “not in this term of Government” when asked about their intentions. There is some suggestion that the question will be more closely looked at if the Government is re-elected. The Opposition has been slightly more forthright, suggesting changes will be pursued should it win the next election.
The Association has been asked to take the initiative on this issue and prepare Local Governments with advice and information on how structural change and resource sharing has been handled in other States, and to explore what the impacts of change might be in Western Australia. Such a process would then inform any political positioning or advocacy that the Association may undertake.
The Regional Cooperation and Structural Reform Forum held on Monday 1 November proactively addressed this important issue. This forum drew on the knowledge and experience of national and international experts in this field.
Former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett, brought to the forum more than 23 years experience of Local and State Government. Under Mr Kennett’s Premiership, Victoria earned a reputation as Australia’s most reformist State. His Government implemented major reforms to the Victorian public service and led the nation in the privatisation of public utilities.
Other guest speakers including Professor Brian Dollery, former Director of the University of New England Centre for Local Government and an expert on regional cooperation and amalgamation models; Jeff Tate, Chief Executive Officer, City of Onkaparinga, South Australia; Mayor John Rich, the Corporation of the Town of Walkerville, SA; Don Ramsland, Secretary, Wellington Blaney Cabonne Strategic Alliance, NSW; and Mayor Charlie Gregorini, Chair, Local Government Advisory Board, WA, provided valuable input.
Participants shared information and workshopped the potential impact of structural reform and regional cooperation, as well as discussed ways to enhance the social, financial, environmental and economic development capacity of Local Government in Western Australia.
