❓ Hon. Robyn McSweeney questions the Local Government Advisory Board's recommendation to amalgamate Western Suburbs councils, inquiring about the consideration of their submission, their current sustainability, and potential political motivations behind the amalgamation proposal. Minister Ford denies the submission was ignored and rejects the notion of political strategy.
AnsweredQoN 224Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - AMALGAMATIONS
I refer to the report of the Local Government Advisory Board titled “Local Government Structural and Electoral Reform in Western Australia: Ensuring the Future Sustainability of Communities”. (1) Was the submission prepared by the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils which comprises the Towns of Claremont, Cottesloe and Mosman Park, the Shire of Peppermint Grove and the Cities of Nedlands and Subiaco, ignored by the board? (2) Are these councils at present sustainable? (3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD
I refer to the report of the Local Government Advisory Board titled “Local Government Structural and Electoral Reform in Western Australia: Ensuring the Future Sustainability of Communities”. (1) Was the submission prepared by the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils which comprises the Towns of Claremont, Cottesloe and Mosman Park, the Shire of Peppermint Grove and the Cities of Nedlands and Subiaco, ignored by the board? (2) Are these councils at present sustainable? (3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
(1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(1) Was the submission prepared by the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils which comprises the Towns of Claremont, Cottesloe and Mosman Park, the Shire of Peppermint Grove and the Cities of Nedlands and Subiaco, ignored by the board? (2) Are these councils at present sustainable? (3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(2) Are these councils at present sustainable? (3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(4) No.
(1) Was the submission prepared by the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils which comprises the Towns of Claremont, Cottesloe and Mosman Park, the Shire of Peppermint Grove and the Cities of Nedlands and Subiaco, ignored by the board? (2) Are these councils at present sustainable? (3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(2) Are these councils at present sustainable? (3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(3) If yes, how did the board come to the decision to recommend that they amalgamate? (4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(4) Does the minister agree that the proposal to amalgamate the western suburbs councils could be seen as a blatant political strategy? Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
Hon JON FORD replied: (1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(1) No. (2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(2) There are various dimensions of sustainability, many of which are not easy to measure. The board commissioned an analysis of the financial position of local governments, which considered aspects of financial sustainability. For some western suburbs councils, the level of general purpose funds - rates and general purpose grants - required to meet operating requirements is generally high, which means less funds are available for maintenance and replacement of assets. Asset deterioration is, of course, one of the biggest challenges for local governments everywhere. The board’s consultant, using an approach recently developed in South Australia, rated the local governments’ financial position, ranging from category 1, a very substantial margin of comfort - City of Nedlands - to category 6, unsustainable - Town of Cambridge. It was suggested that a cautious approach be taken in drawing conclusions from this information due to issues associated with data accuracy and variations in councils reporting such items as depreciation. (3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(3) The board came to the same conclusion as previous inquiries that amalgamation was necessary after considering a broad range of information about the communities and local governments of the area. The board concluded that an amalgamated local government would be able to address gaps in services and issues of equity in access to services, provide more balanced and consistent town planning and environmental management and address region-wide economic development. The board deemed that amalgamation was logical for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons, and that it would eliminate duplication and overlap in governance in the existing western suburbs councils. (4) No.
(4) No.
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