Perth’s council reform welcomed by Property Council of Australia

The WA government’s strategy to reform local government in Perth has been welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, after a recent report recommended slashing the number of councils.

The Local Government Advisory Board’s final report suggests reducing the total number of councils from a current figure of 30 down to 16.

Property Council of Australia executive director Joe Lenzo said that there is a lot of uncertainty in the property sector that the announcement will help clear up.

“It is now crucial that the government meets its 1 July 2015 deadline for implementing the majority of the new local government framework,” Lenzo said.

“The new local government framework, with larger and better resourced councils, will mean property businesses and the community can expect more timely and effective services like local planning and building approval processes, and greater support for the growth of local economic centres.”

He noted that the Property Council endorses the introduction of the City of Perth Act that would recognise the investment occurring in Perth CBD and its benefits for the rest of Western Australia.

“We recognise that it will take longer for the formation of the new City of Riversea, including five western suburb councils, however the full benefits of local government reform in Perth will only occur if this matter is also resolved as soon as possible after 1 July 2015,” he said.