❓ Hon. Darren West questions the Minister regarding the inconsistency in the government's approach to council amalgamations, specifically the rejection of a merger for four regional councils while pursuing amalgamations of unwilling metropolitan councils. The Minister's response highlights the LGAB's independence and the reasons for rejecting the regional merger.
AnsweredQoN 88Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS
88. Hon DARREN WEST to the
minister representing the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the government's program for council
amalgamations—could everyone hear that?
Several members interjected.
Hon DARREN WEST : I felt like Bruce Springsteen there for a
minute.
Hon Ken Travers : I've heard you sing!
Hon DARREN WEST : Okay.
I refer to the government's program for council
amalgamations, and the recent refusal by the Local Government Advisory Board—or
LGAB—for four regional councils to merge.
(1) Why were
these councils denied a merger that they have been collaboratively working
towards for two years?
(2) If willing
councils are deemed unsuitable for amalgamation, why is the government pursuing
the amalgamation of unwilling metropolitan councils?
(3) What
action will the minister take to address this inconsistency?
88. Hon DARREN WEST to the
minister representing the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the government's program for council
amalgamations—could everyone hear that?
Several members interjected.
Hon DARREN WEST : I felt like Bruce Springsteen there for a
minute.
Hon Ken Travers : I've heard you sing!
Hon DARREN WEST : Okay.
I refer to the government's program for council
amalgamations, and the recent refusal by the Local Government Advisory Board—or
LGAB—for four regional councils to merge.
(1) Why were
these councils denied a merger that they have been collaboratively working
towards for two years?
(2) If willing
councils are deemed unsuitable for amalgamation, why is the government pursuing
the amalgamation of unwilling metropolitan councils?
(3) What
action will the minister take to address this inconsistency?
AnswerView source ↗
I am not sure if I heard right, but did I hear Hon Darren West make some suggestion that he
was like Bruce Springsteen?
The PRESIDENT : That may have been the case in response to
the microphone fluctuation —
Hon Darren West : Correct.
Hon HELEN MORTON : I see.
The PRESIDENT : — but I was very aptly reminded by
the Clerk that I, as President, am the only boss here at the moment!
Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I absolutely concur with
your ruling on that matter. I was going to make some comment about the
differences between Bruce Springsteen and Hon Darren West, but I do not think I
will. I was mostly going to talk about—no, I will not go there!
Hon Ken Travers : You prefer Hon Darren West; is that what
you're saying?
Hon HELEN MORTON : Perhaps in some ways; I do not know.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us hear the
answer.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President.
(1) The Local
Government Advisory Board identified a number of issues as significant
considerations in its decision to reject the amalgamation proposal, including a
lack of preparedness to drive such a significant change management process and
an inconsistent community consultation and communication strategy. The
experiences gained from the process will place the four local governments in a
more favourable position to pursue reform in the future, and the group has been
encouraged to continue to explore resource sharing opportunities. I seek leave
to table a report by the Local Government Advisory Board.
(2) The Local
Government Advisory Board is currently considering 34 proposals for structural
reform to metropolitan local governments, the majority of which were submitted
by local governments.
(3) It is up
to the Local Government Advisory Board, as an independent body, to consider and
provide a recommendation on all proposals for amalgamations and boundary
changes.
Leave granted.
[See paper 1246.]
was like Bruce Springsteen?
The PRESIDENT : That may have been the case in response to
the microphone fluctuation —
Hon Darren West : Correct.
Hon HELEN MORTON : I see.
The PRESIDENT : — but I was very aptly reminded by
the Clerk that I, as President, am the only boss here at the moment!
Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I absolutely concur with
your ruling on that matter. I was going to make some comment about the
differences between Bruce Springsteen and Hon Darren West, but I do not think I
will. I was mostly going to talk about—no, I will not go there!
Hon Ken Travers : You prefer Hon Darren West; is that what
you're saying?
Hon HELEN MORTON : Perhaps in some ways; I do not know.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us hear the
answer.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President.
(1) The Local
Government Advisory Board identified a number of issues as significant
considerations in its decision to reject the amalgamation proposal, including a
lack of preparedness to drive such a significant change management process and
an inconsistent community consultation and communication strategy. The
experiences gained from the process will place the four local governments in a
more favourable position to pursue reform in the future, and the group has been
encouraged to continue to explore resource sharing opportunities. I seek leave
to table a report by the Local Government Advisory Board.
(2) The Local
Government Advisory Board is currently considering 34 proposals for structural
reform to metropolitan local governments, the majority of which were submitted
by local governments.
(3) It is up
to the Local Government Advisory Board, as an independent body, to consider and
provide a recommendation on all proposals for amalgamations and boundary
changes.
Leave granted.
[See paper 1246.]
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