The state government's plan for local councils to merge with one another has proven to be a struggle with only a handful of the 139 councils agreeing to amalgamate and less than half prepared to consider the reform.
The state government's plan for local councils to merge with one another has proven to be a struggle with only a handful of the 139 councils agreeing to amalgamate and less than half prepared to consider the reform.
Both the state opposition and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA have labeled the voluntary reform process a failure after Local Government Minister John Castrilli told parliament today that only 10 councils had so far agreed to merge, 14 months after the process was started.
The state government had aimed to reduce the number of local councils from 139 to less than 100 by 2013, as part of a plan to reduce costs in the sector.
In a statement today, Mr Castrilli pointed out that 22 local councils support the reform but were blocked from doing so due to a lack of support from neighbouring local governments.
He also mentioned that five local councils in the south-east Avon region of the Wheatbelt have agreed to form a Regional Transition Group to investigate merger opportunities.
The group, consisting of Beverley, Cunderdin, Quairading, Tammin, and York, is the biggest of the four groups of 11 local governments that have agreed to prepare regional business plans with a view to amalgamation in 2013.
"Other local governments taking this step are Esperance and Ravensthorpe in the Goldfields-Esperance region; Brookton and Pingelly in the Wheatbelt; and Claremont and Cottesloe in the metropolitan area," Mr Castrilli said.
"This is in addition to the 10 local governments which have already decided to merge into four entities between 2011 and 2013."
The minister said 16 local governments resolved to form Regional Collaborative Groups to explore the benefits of an extended shared service agreement.
"The State will experience unprecedented regional collaboration, as the local governments within the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and parts of the Eastern Goldfields embrace the Regional Collaborative Group model," Mr Castrilli said.
"These local governments will now work in their respective regions to prepare long- term strategic plans, determine regional priorities and seek regional partnerships along with other benefits on behalf of their communities.
"The decision is a very positive step in securing the long-term future of these communities."
Six other local governments that were invited to form Regional Transition Groups have requested approval to form Regional Collaborative Groups.
"Local governments that have agreed to undertake reform will receive financial support from the State Government," Mr Castrilli said.
"Funding would be provided through the Country Local Government Fund to assist with the preparation of regional business plans.
"The Department of Local Government will provide additional capacity building and support to local governments undertaking reform, particularly in the areas of strategic planning and asset management.
"I will be considering the full report and recommendations of the Steering Committee over the coming weeks."
CCIWA today said it was disappointed that fewer than half of the state's 139 local councils had taken the opportunity to provide better services and value for money for their ratepayers by refusing to consider the reform.
"The State Government is now left with no option but to step-in and require unsustainable councils to amalgamate. This should be based on what's in the best interests of the State, including population and sustainable finances," CCIWA chief officer membership and advocacy John Nicolaou said.
"In addition, council's should be required to undertake a detailed examination of their operations to give ratepayers, including businesses, confidence they are receiving value for money."
