❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the potential amalgamation of seven Western Suburbs councils, inquiring about costs, economies of scale, new services, amenity protection, and alleged centralist approach. The answer provides general information, defers to the Local Government Advisory Board, and denies a centralist approach.
AnsweredQoN 856Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the
proposal to amalgamate the seven councils in the Western Suburbs into one
council, and I ask: (a) what will it cost to
amalgamate seven councils; (b) what economies of
scale will the seven councils achieve; (c) what new services can
be delivered that the seven councils do not already deliver, or are planning to
deliver; (d) how will the existing
amenity of the seven councils be protected for residents and ratepayers who
already live there; and (e) has the State
Government adopted a centralist approach with its proposal to force
amalgamation?
proposal to amalgamate the seven councils in the Western Suburbs into one
council, and I ask: (a) what will it cost to
amalgamate seven councils; (b) what economies of
scale will the seven councils achieve; (c) what new services can
be delivered that the seven councils do not already deliver, or are planning to
deliver; (d) how will the existing
amenity of the seven councils be protected for residents and ratepayers who
already live there; and (e) has the State
Government adopted a centralist approach with its proposal to force
amalgamation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 April 2014
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Local Government
Response time
28 days
(a) The cost of amalgamating local governments will depend upon the model recommended by the Local Government Advisory Board and the decisions of the individual Councils on how they merge administrations and services.
(b) Local governments will benefit from economies of scale in such areas as administrative overheads, procurement, and better utilisation and rationalisation of assets.
(c) The Metropolitan Local Government Review Panel found significant levels of duplication and wasted resources; inconsistencies in approach that result in difficulties for business and lost opportunities for communities; and fragmented approaches to local planning resulting in unnecessary complications. In addition, the Panel found great variation in the capacity of local governments and large disparity in service levels. Stronger, more capable local governments will be able to respond to these service deficiencies.
(d) In preparing its recommendations, the Local Government Advisory Board will consider a range of factors including communities of interest and history of the area. Elected councillors also represent the interests of local communities.
(e) No. The 36 proposals received by the Local Government Advisory Board include 24 from local governments and one from a community group.
(b) Local governments will benefit from economies of scale in such areas as administrative overheads, procurement, and better utilisation and rationalisation of assets.
(c) The Metropolitan Local Government Review Panel found significant levels of duplication and wasted resources; inconsistencies in approach that result in difficulties for business and lost opportunities for communities; and fragmented approaches to local planning resulting in unnecessary complications. In addition, the Panel found great variation in the capacity of local governments and large disparity in service levels. Stronger, more capable local governments will be able to respond to these service deficiencies.
(d) In preparing its recommendations, the Local Government Advisory Board will consider a range of factors including communities of interest and history of the area. Elected councillors also represent the interests of local communities.
(e) No. The 36 proposals received by the Local Government Advisory Board include 24 from local governments and one from a community group.
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