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Local Government Reform

The Local Government Reform Process

 

2009

In February 2009, the Minister for Local Government, Hon John Castrilli MLA, announced a package of statewide-ranging local government reform strategies. The statewide strategies were aimed at achieving greater capacity for local governments to better plan, manage and deliver services to their communities with a focus on social, environmental and economic sustainability.

The principal strategies in the package focused on voluntary structural reform of local government. Specifically, these strategies encouraged local governments to:
* take steps to voluntarily amalgamate and form larger local governments;
* reduce the total number of elected members to between six and nine; and
* form appropriate regional groupings of councils to assist with the efficient delivery of services.

All Local Governments in Western Australia were required to complete a Local Government Reform Checklist. The Department of Local Government - Local Government Reform Steering Committee then assessed the information submitted. Following this assessment the City of Melville received a Category One rating:
"Evidence indicates that there is existing organisational and financial capacity to meet current and future community needs. Local Governments should still consider reform opportunities which enhance service provision to local and regional communities."

The City of Melville made a submission to the Local Government Reform Steering Committee in which the City recommended some minor boundary changes to incorporate the whole of the suburb of Leeming into the City of Melville, as well as boundary adjustments along Stock Road from South Street through to Leach Highway to include all properties on the east side of Stock Road within the City of Melville and all properties on the west side within the City of Fremantle. Click here to download the City of Melville's 2009 Submission.

 

2011

In September 2011 the Minister for Local Government announced the formation of an independent Metropolitan Local Government Review Panel who were required to report back to the Minister by June 2012.  Click here for further details of this review. The Panel called for public submissions, click here for the City of Melville's 2011 reform submission. 

 

2012

In October 2012, the Metropolitan Local Government Review released its Metropolitan Local Government Review Final Report which contains 30 recommendations. Many of these recommendations, if adopted, will have far reaching implications and consequences. Of particular note, the Panel has recommended that the 30 metropolitan local governments be reduced to 12. Click here to see all the recommendations.

 

2013

The City of Melville conducted an online survey to understand the community’s position on Local Government reform.  The City provided a full report and feedback (including the survey results) to State Government, click here for the City of Melville's 2013 reform submission and community survey results.