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.
A recently completed independent study into the sustainability for the sector in Western Australia found 83 of the 144 Councils were financially unsustainable from their own current source revenue.
Commissioned by the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), the independent Systemic Sustainability Study (SSS) also found $1.75 billion was required to redress the backlog infrastructure managed by Western Australian Councils. WALGA has now established a task force to facilitate the recommendations of the SSS Panel and it will put forward implementation plans for each of the recommendations prior to an industry summit to be held in April.
In its final report, the SSS Panel made a number of recommendations for reform of the sector, including:
- sharing innovations of individual Councils to benefit the entire sector
- improved finance and planning practices such as renewal programs for assets and accrual accounting systems
- investigation of new service delivery models to reflect changes in the social and demographic environment including regional synergy solutions
- strategies to attract high quality employees to the sector and investment in the development of staff and elected members
- the securing of revenue outcomes through State or Federal Government investment as well as improved rating mechanisms, asset costing and infrastructure analysis.
An important part of moving forward for Local Government in WA will be re-establishing a working relationship with the State Government. A recent WA State Cabinet reshuffle has returned the Hon John Bowler to the Local Government portfolio. Minister Bowler is respected within Local Government as someone with a genuine interest in working with the sector, and has previously proven to be committed to consultation. By comparison, the Local Government Amendment Bill introduced late last year had included a change in voting system from first past the post to proportional preferential voting, tabled without prior communication. This lack of consultation on the part of the State Government led to a targeted campaign by WALGA and its member Councils. The campaign involved lobbying State politicians, an integrated communications strategy which included television advertising and 102 Councils passing motions critical of the State Government with 41 voting “no confidence” in the then Minister, Jon Ford.
The voting changes were split from the Bill and sent to committee, allowing us the opportunity to have our views considered. We consider this, and the change in Ministers, to be a victory for Local Government and sign of the success of the campaign. It is also an indication of the sector’s commitment to be heard and take an active role in their future, which puts us in an excellent position to face the challenges ahead.
