WA's local government reform receives merger proposals

Nineteen merger proposals from metropolitan councils have been received by local government Minister, Tony Simpson, as part of the plan to reduce the number of councils.

The plan to reduce the number of councils from 30 to 14 was announced at the end of July 2013, with mixed responses in past months. 

“We have come a long way since the Government outlined its preferred model just over two months ago - prior to that many local governments had never even discussed reform with each other or the opportunities it could bring," Simpson said. 

“So far, 19 local governments have submitted proposals to the independent Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB) and while the majority are individual proposals, it demonstrates that they are willing to work towards the next phase of reform.”

The concept of 'economies of scale' with larger councils operating under redefined boundaries is in part to provide coordination across metropolitan Perth. 

“Our objective is to create bigger councils with the ability to deliver more services for residents. It is abundantly clear that the existing council boundaries, in many cases drawn up more than 100 years ago, are no longer relevant," he said.

The proposals were received from: Shire of Mundaring; City of Swan and Town of Bassendean; Town of Claremont; Town of Cambridge (two proposals); City of Armadale; City of Bayswater; City of Canning; City of Rockingham; City of Belmont; City of Melville; City of Stirling; City of Fremantle; City of South Perth and Town of Victoria Park; City of Perth; Shire of Kalamunda; City of Vincent; and City of Gosnells.

A full briefing is expected shortly.