Hon Bruce Donaldson asks about the "Systemic Sustainability Study" (SSS) report by WALGA, specifically regarding government involvement, funding, and legislative amendments. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich acknowledges the report, expresses initial support, and commits to further review and collaboration.

AnsweredQoN 107Legislative Council
Asked
27 February 2008
Portfolio
Local Government

QuestionView source ↗

SYSTEMIC SUSTAINABILITY STUDY
Today, the Western Australian Local Government Association released a draft report titled the “Systemic Sustainability Study”, which is also known as the “SSS”. I understand that it sets out a blueprint for the future rationalisation of local governments in Western Australia, with submissions closing on 15 April. (1) Has the minister been briefed on the content of that report? (2) If so, will the government be expected to be involved in its proposed implementation, provide funding and amend legislation that may be needed to allow changes to occur? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) I have not received a detailed brief on the report. I met with representatives of the Western Australian Local Government Association only two or three week ago. Basically, Ricky Burgess and Bill Mitchell gave me an overview of flavour of the report. The member is quite right in that the SSS report, a long-awaited report, was released at a big launch this morning. Having had only a bit of a look—I have dipped in and out of the report today because of my commitments in the chamber—I congratulate WALGA on its efforts and on the work it put into the report. The report is very comprehensive. Five working groups were formed to consider a range of issues, not necessarily the question of rationalisation. They looked at the long-term sustainability of local governments and the question of finance and human resources. There were five key areas that, when put together, covered the long-term sustainability of local governments. The report makes some excellent recommendations. I had the opportunity to consider some of the recommendations that relate to the financial management of local governments. We can support many of the recommendations. The report makes 60-odd recommendations. Of those, we can work together collaboratively to ensure that we provide better and more sustainable outcomes for local governments. I will look at the report and meet again with WALGA. Obviously, any recommendations that are made by such a report have financial implications. Some are explicit; for example, there is a request for $30 million over the next 10 years—$3 million annually—for local government reform. Other costs are implicit and obviously need to be considered. The report has been public. Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
(1) Has the minister been briefed on the content of that report? (2) If so, will the government be expected to be involved in its proposed implementation, provide funding and amend legislation that may be needed to allow changes to occur? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) I have not received a detailed brief on the report. I met with representatives of the Western Australian Local Government Association only two or three week ago. Basically, Ricky Burgess and Bill Mitchell gave me an overview of flavour of the report. The member is quite right in that the SSS report, a long-awaited report, was released at a big launch this morning. Having had only a bit of a look—I have dipped in and out of the report today because of my commitments in the chamber—I congratulate WALGA on its efforts and on the work it put into the report. The report is very comprehensive. Five working groups were formed to consider a range of issues, not necessarily the question of rationalisation. They looked at the long-term sustainability of local governments and the question of finance and human resources. There were five key areas that, when put together, covered the long-term sustainability of local governments. The report makes some excellent recommendations. I had the opportunity to consider some of the recommendations that relate to the financial management of local governments. We can support many of the recommendations. The report makes 60-odd recommendations. Of those, we can work together collaboratively to ensure that we provide better and more sustainable outcomes for local governments. I will look at the report and meet again with WALGA. Obviously, any recommendations that are made by such a report have financial implications. Some are explicit; for example, there is a request for $30 million over the next 10 years—$3 million annually—for local government reform. Other costs are implicit and obviously need to be considered. The report has been public. Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
(2) If so, will the government be expected to be involved in its proposed implementation, provide funding and amend legislation that may be needed to allow changes to occur? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) I have not received a detailed brief on the report. I met with representatives of the Western Australian Local Government Association only two or three week ago. Basically, Ricky Burgess and Bill Mitchell gave me an overview of flavour of the report. The member is quite right in that the SSS report, a long-awaited report, was released at a big launch this morning. Having had only a bit of a look—I have dipped in and out of the report today because of my commitments in the chamber—I congratulate WALGA on its efforts and on the work it put into the report. The report is very comprehensive. Five working groups were formed to consider a range of issues, not necessarily the question of rationalisation. They looked at the long-term sustainability of local governments and the question of finance and human resources. There were five key areas that, when put together, covered the long-term sustainability of local governments. The report makes some excellent recommendations. I had the opportunity to consider some of the recommendations that relate to the financial management of local governments. We can support many of the recommendations. The report makes 60-odd recommendations. Of those, we can work together collaboratively to ensure that we provide better and more sustainable outcomes for local governments. I will look at the report and meet again with WALGA. Obviously, any recommendations that are made by such a report have financial implications. Some are explicit; for example, there is a request for $30 million over the next 10 years—$3 million annually—for local government reform. Other costs are implicit and obviously need to be considered. The report has been public. Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) I have not received a detailed brief on the report. I met with representatives of the Western Australian Local Government Association only two or three week ago. Basically, Ricky Burgess and Bill Mitchell gave me an overview of flavour of the report. The member is quite right in that the SSS report, a long-awaited report, was released at a big launch this morning. Having had only a bit of a look—I have dipped in and out of the report today because of my commitments in the chamber—I congratulate WALGA on its efforts and on the work it put into the report. The report is very comprehensive. Five working groups were formed to consider a range of issues, not necessarily the question of rationalisation. They looked at the long-term sustainability of local governments and the question of finance and human resources. There were five key areas that, when put together, covered the long-term sustainability of local governments. The report makes some excellent recommendations. I had the opportunity to consider some of the recommendations that relate to the financial management of local governments. We can support many of the recommendations. The report makes 60-odd recommendations. Of those, we can work together collaboratively to ensure that we provide better and more sustainable outcomes for local governments. I will look at the report and meet again with WALGA. Obviously, any recommendations that are made by such a report have financial implications. Some are explicit; for example, there is a request for $30 million over the next 10 years—$3 million annually—for local government reform. Other costs are implicit and obviously need to be considered. The report has been public. Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) I have not received a detailed brief on the report. I met with representatives of the Western Australian Local Government Association only two or three week ago. Basically, Ricky Burgess and Bill Mitchell gave me an overview of flavour of the report. The member is quite right in that the SSS report, a long-awaited report, was released at a big launch this morning. Having had only a bit of a look—I have dipped in and out of the report today because of my commitments in the chamber—I congratulate WALGA on its efforts and on the work it put into the report. The report is very comprehensive. Five working groups were formed to consider a range of issues, not necessarily the question of rationalisation. They looked at the long-term sustainability of local governments and the question of finance and human resources. There were five key areas that, when put together, covered the long-term sustainability of local governments. The report makes some excellent recommendations. I had the opportunity to consider some of the recommendations that relate to the financial management of local governments. We can support many of the recommendations. The report makes 60-odd recommendations. Of those, we can work together collaboratively to ensure that we provide better and more sustainable outcomes for local governments. I will look at the report and meet again with WALGA. Obviously, any recommendations that are made by such a report have financial implications. Some are explicit; for example, there is a request for $30 million over the next 10 years—$3 million annually—for local government reform. Other costs are implicit and obviously need to be considered. The report has been public. Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
(1)-(2) I have not received a detailed brief on the report. I met with representatives of the Western Australian Local Government Association only two or three week ago. Basically, Ricky Burgess and Bill Mitchell gave me an overview of flavour of the report. The member is quite right in that the SSS report, a long-awaited report, was released at a big launch this morning. Having had only a bit of a look—I have dipped in and out of the report today because of my commitments in the chamber—I congratulate WALGA on its efforts and on the work it put into the report. The report is very comprehensive. Five working groups were formed to consider a range of issues, not necessarily the question of rationalisation. They looked at the long-term sustainability of local governments and the question of finance and human resources. There were five key areas that, when put together, covered the long-term sustainability of local governments. The report makes some excellent recommendations. I had the opportunity to consider some of the recommendations that relate to the financial management of local governments. We can support many of the recommendations. The report makes 60-odd recommendations. Of those, we can work together collaboratively to ensure that we provide better and more sustainable outcomes for local governments. I will look at the report and meet again with WALGA. Obviously, any recommendations that are made by such a report have financial implications. Some are explicit; for example, there is a request for $30 million over the next 10 years—$3 million annually—for local government reform. Other costs are implicit and obviously need to be considered. The report has been public. Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
Hon Bruce Donaldson : It is available online. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Yes, it is. Obviously, people will provide feedback to WALGA. As the minister responsible, I will work with my department to ensure that we provide an appropriate response. I thank WALGA for the work it has done on the future of local governments in Western Australia.

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