❓ Mr Britza asks about the implications of the Local Government Advisory Board report on metropolitan local government reform for ratepayers and the broader community. The Minister outlines the government's final plan, emphasizing community of interest, economic benefits, and achieving a compatible rate base.
AnsweredQoN 837Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY BOARD REPORT — METROPOLITAN
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
837. Mr I.M. BRITZA to the
Minister for Local Government:
Before I ask my question I acknowledge the students and
teachers from Servite College, which is in the electorate of the member for
Balcatta.
I understand that earlier today the Minister for Local
Government released the Local Government Advisory Board report for metropolitan
local government reform. Can he please advise the house what the report means
for ratepayers and the community more broadly in the Perth metropolitan area?
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
837. Mr I.M. BRITZA to the
Minister for Local Government:
Before I ask my question I acknowledge the students and
teachers from Servite College, which is in the electorate of the member for
Balcatta.
I understand that earlier today the Minister for Local
Government released the Local Government Advisory Board report for metropolitan
local government reform. Can he please advise the house what the report means
for ratepayers and the community more broadly in the Perth metropolitan area?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Morley for his question and for his
interest in local government, but, more importantly, sustainable local
government.
Today the government announced its final blueprint plan for
local government in the metropolitan area. As the Premier pointed out, there
have been eight reports in the past 50-odd years all of which have tried to
come up with a conclusion. This government has had the guts to make a decision
and to get on with the job.
I will pick up on a couple of points that opposition members
made about why one area will get a vote and why another will not.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I call you to order for the second time; and, member for
Armadale, I call you to order for the second time. Direct your answer through
the Chair, please.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : I make a comment about the Local Government Advisory Board
and what is clearly stated in the act. Having gone through a process, the board
gave me 38 proposals. As I have said in this place many times before, when a
report comes back to me I can do one of two things—I can either accept
or reject, but I cannot amend. The advisory board gave me boundary adjustments
and amalgamations. I cannot change that. That is what is stated in the act—I
either accept or reject. It was good this morning to make the announcement to
the sector.
There are 325 councillors for 30 metropolitan councils. There
are more councillors in the western suburbs than there are members in this
house.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I now call you for the third time, and I ask you to please
now let the minister answer the question.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : The member for Morley raised a very good question. Some
comments were made about the size of some local governments, and the most
important thing that the Local Government Advisory Board looked at was
developing the community of interest and also the economic benefit to the
community; hence why there are variations still. It is ultimately very well
known in the local government world that with 100 000 residents the actual rate
base is becoming a quite compatible rate. We have not achieved that 100 per
cent, but we have developed some great communities. It is great to see the
Mayor of Fremantle very supportive of Fremantle, our second capital city. More
importantly, it is also good to see support from the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry of Western Australia and the Urban Development Institute of Australia,
and a number of mayors who have been very supportive. It is all about
delivering good local government that can deliver better services to the
ratepayers.
interest in local government, but, more importantly, sustainable local
government.
Today the government announced its final blueprint plan for
local government in the metropolitan area. As the Premier pointed out, there
have been eight reports in the past 50-odd years all of which have tried to
come up with a conclusion. This government has had the guts to make a decision
and to get on with the job.
I will pick up on a couple of points that opposition members
made about why one area will get a vote and why another will not.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I call you to order for the second time; and, member for
Armadale, I call you to order for the second time. Direct your answer through
the Chair, please.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : I make a comment about the Local Government Advisory Board
and what is clearly stated in the act. Having gone through a process, the board
gave me 38 proposals. As I have said in this place many times before, when a
report comes back to me I can do one of two things—I can either accept
or reject, but I cannot amend. The advisory board gave me boundary adjustments
and amalgamations. I cannot change that. That is what is stated in the act—I
either accept or reject. It was good this morning to make the announcement to
the sector.
There are 325 councillors for 30 metropolitan councils. There
are more councillors in the western suburbs than there are members in this
house.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I now call you for the third time, and I ask you to please
now let the minister answer the question.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : The member for Morley raised a very good question. Some
comments were made about the size of some local governments, and the most
important thing that the Local Government Advisory Board looked at was
developing the community of interest and also the economic benefit to the
community; hence why there are variations still. It is ultimately very well
known in the local government world that with 100 000 residents the actual rate
base is becoming a quite compatible rate. We have not achieved that 100 per
cent, but we have developed some great communities. It is great to see the
Mayor of Fremantle very supportive of Fremantle, our second capital city. More
importantly, it is also good to see support from the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry of Western Australia and the Urban Development Institute of Australia,
and a number of mayors who have been very supportive. It is all about
delivering good local government that can deliver better services to the
ratepayers.
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