In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Troy Pickard, President of the Western Australian Local Government Association.
The current Local Government reform process in Western Australia is in danger of stagnation and requires leadership to move the process forward.
This comes as we experience limited engagement with the two year reform process instigated by the State Government, in which, they have called for voluntary council amalgamations.
The circumstances we currently face, however, are quite different to those of two years ago, and differ significantly across metropolitan, rural or regional contexts.
The different challenges faced today include population increases or decreases, pressures resulting from economic growth, and the impact of environmental and dry season conditions.
I believe we are now at a stage where a genuine opportunity exists for both the Government and the Local Government sector to reassess the current situation and redefine the reform agenda.
The State Government wants a workable solution to deliver community services and our sector wants a workable solution to remove the spectre of uncertainty over the future of their communities and administrations.
While Local Government endorsed the Systemic Sustainability Study (SSS) report and the Better Local Government process gave the sector access, at their own discretion and relative to their local needs, to both amalgamation and regional cooperation, the State reform agenda is being driven by State priorities for economic growth in a context of national and international relevance.
Western Australian Local Governments have called upon the State Government to revitalise the sector reform process with a clearly articulated vision grounded in a Statewide governance review ñ to be conducted in conjunction with the sector.
In a State Council Agenda item discussed during our February round of Zone meetings, we have set the groundwork to assist the State Government in recognising that metropolitan, regional centre and rural communities have differing considerations and requirements, and consequently differing modes of Local Government.
Primarily it is proposed that the Western Australian Government undertake a governance review that not only considers the structure of the sector, but also the empowerment of any refined structure with the capacity and capability to deliver the 21st Century outcomes expected of it by both the State and the community.
Any proposed model should both ensure that local identity in decision making is retained, and facilitate greater service delivery at a regional level that provides the ability to explore opportunities above and beyond what may be seen as core Local Government business.
I believe the best way forward on reform would be for the State to clearly articulate its vision, establish a governance review process to assess the reforms required (recognising metropolitan, regional or rural differences) and commit to actioning and resourcing its outcomes.
I look forward to upcoming discussions with the sector and State Government on how best to achieve this.
