❓ Mr. Hatton asks about the progress of local government amalgamations, specifically regarding public submissions and collaboration between local governments. The Minister responds by highlighting the progress made, the role of the Local Government Advisory Board, and the benefits of larger local governments.
AnsweredQoN 132Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS
132. Mr C.D. HATTON to the Minister for Local Government:
As the minister knows, today is the
last day for members of the public, including those in my electorate of
Balcatta, to have their say on a proposed new local government boundary. Can
the minister please provide an update on which local governments are working
together as part of this historic reform process?
132. Mr C.D. HATTON to the Minister for Local Government:
As the minister knows, today is the
last day for members of the public, including those in my electorate of
Balcatta, to have their say on a proposed new local government boundary. Can
the minister please provide an update on which local governments are working
together as part of this historic reform process?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question
and his interest in local government reform. As the member pointed out, public
submissions to the Local Government Advisory Board on local government reform
close at 4.00 this afternoon. I think the important point is that in just under
the 12 months that I have been in this job, when I have met with people in the
sector, they have made very clear to me that they want a decision on this
issue. As a government, we made a decision and we are now in the fifth round of
the public submission process. It will be finalised after five rounds of
consulting with the community and the sector. It is now in the hands of the
Local Government Advisory Board. As the member pointed out, 16 local
governments are working hard in the background to form seven local
implementation committees. The aim of those committees is to work out how we
can best go through this transition process. As members can imagine, there are
a lot of problems to solve in terms of finance, rating, workforce needs and all
those sorts of issues that present to local government. As the member for South
Perth pointed out to me the other day, the City of South Perth has some money
saved for a great community project. The local implementation committee process
can make sure that that money is put aside in the account for future years, and
as the amalgamation process creates a bigger identity, that money can be spent
on the community.
It is a great time in Western
Australia to see this issue reaching its final stage. I think the community
sector as a whole is looking forward to having better local governments deliver
better services to their ratepayers. As we all know, a larger local government
can provide more services to the ratepayers. One of the biggest issues for
local governments has been whether one local government can deliver more than
another. At least now they can be on a level playing field whereby they can
deliver community services to their ratepayers.
As the member for Balcatta pointed
out, on 1 July next year the new identities will be established, so in 467 days
from today our new local governments will be in place. This is a great
opportunity now to hand over to the advisory board, which will come back to me
at the end of June or early July with a report that will take us to the next
level.
and his interest in local government reform. As the member pointed out, public
submissions to the Local Government Advisory Board on local government reform
close at 4.00 this afternoon. I think the important point is that in just under
the 12 months that I have been in this job, when I have met with people in the
sector, they have made very clear to me that they want a decision on this
issue. As a government, we made a decision and we are now in the fifth round of
the public submission process. It will be finalised after five rounds of
consulting with the community and the sector. It is now in the hands of the
Local Government Advisory Board. As the member pointed out, 16 local
governments are working hard in the background to form seven local
implementation committees. The aim of those committees is to work out how we
can best go through this transition process. As members can imagine, there are
a lot of problems to solve in terms of finance, rating, workforce needs and all
those sorts of issues that present to local government. As the member for South
Perth pointed out to me the other day, the City of South Perth has some money
saved for a great community project. The local implementation committee process
can make sure that that money is put aside in the account for future years, and
as the amalgamation process creates a bigger identity, that money can be spent
on the community.
It is a great time in Western
Australia to see this issue reaching its final stage. I think the community
sector as a whole is looking forward to having better local governments deliver
better services to their ratepayers. As we all know, a larger local government
can provide more services to the ratepayers. One of the biggest issues for
local governments has been whether one local government can deliver more than
another. At least now they can be on a level playing field whereby they can
deliver community services to their ratepayers.
As the member for Balcatta pointed
out, on 1 July next year the new identities will be established, so in 467 days
from today our new local governments will be in place. This is a great
opportunity now to hand over to the advisory board, which will come back to me
at the end of June or early July with a report that will take us to the next
level.
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