In what’s being touted as the most significant change to the local government sector in more than 25 years, the Local Government Amendment Bill 2024 passed through State Parliament recently.
The Bill, developed through extensive work and public consultation since 2017, aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency across local councils and marks the delivery of the second phase of reforms.
Among the key reforms is the introduction of an Inspector and specialised monitors, who will have greater powers to oversee local councils in WA.
They will be expected to work proactively with local governments requiring assistance or closer scrutiny to resolve emerging issues before they escalate.
The Bill also updates the complaints system, providing more tools to address issues when a breach may occur.
Other major reforms passed in the Bill include clarifying the roles and responsibilities of mayors, councillors, and CEOs; adopting a rates and revenue policy for better financial planning and transparency; expanding the scope of audit committees with independent chairs; facilitating shared employment of senior staff; preventing allowances for members who fail to complete mandatory training; restricting personal legal expenses; and modernising superannuation and local law processes.
WA Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said she was incredibly proud to see the reforms finally come to fruition and acknowledged the significant contributions of elected members and council administrators to WA communities.
“Modern, effective local government is so important to communities throughout WA, and our Bill includes many provisions to support that,” Ms Beazley said.
“It’s essential that public confidence in our local governments is maintained, and through these reforms, there will be stronger powers and greater penalties available if and when needed.”
WA Shadow Minister for Local Government Martin Aldridge expressed support for the general aims of the reforms, highlighting the crucial role local governments play as the “closest level of government to the people,” but raised concerns about a specific clause.
“While the Opposition gave its broad support to the Local Government Amendment Bill 2024 and certainly supports the intent of the reforms, we opposed Clause 144 relating to the regulations that will prevent a local council from considering a Responsible Authority Report before submission to a Development Assessment Panel (DAP),” Mr Aldridge said.
“The amendment will, in essence, strip the local council of its ability to make a recommendation, in conjunction with the technical officers’ recommendation, to the DAP for developments within their jurisdiction exceeding $2 million.”
When the Bill was introduced to Parliament earlier this year in August, Karen Chappel, President of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), expressed confidence in the Bill.
“These reforms will provide clarity on the separation of roles and responsibilities between Elected Members and Local Government Officers,” Ms Chappel said.
“I am confident the Local Government Inspector will provide for improved and more efficient monitoring should early intervention on issues be required.”
The state government has now begun work to establish the Office of the Inspector and advance the supporting regulations.
