Change could be in the air for local councils in the country’s west, with structural reform reportedly on the way.

Troy Pickard, President of the Western Australian Local Government Association says good things should be coming, after the second-term Barnett Government committed to produce a plan for the structural reform of metropolitan councils as soon as possible. The Government’s plan will likely result in the number of WA metropolitan councils trimmed from 30 down to as few as 15, but it’s not just less councillors they are aiming for. The WALGA says it believes the consolidation of metropolitan councils will result in local governments with the sufficient scale to meet the expanding scope demanded by today’s society.

WALGA President Troy Pickard said, “The impacts of changing demographics, cost shifting by other sectors, higher expectations from the community and the availability of more agile service models requires Local Government to adapt... as the community requires more of their councils, it is necessary for Local Government to have the economies of scale and scope to cater for expanding services and more fragmented customer segments... it could also create an environment of greater cooperation and collaboration between the State and Local spheres.”

The Association wants to be heavily involved in the WA State Government’s decision-making process, saying it hopes “The implementation of the reform framework for the metropolitan area should enable the State Government and councils to commence this strategic conversation.”