The State Government is reforming the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act).
These are the most significant reforms to the sector in 25 years and aim to ensure local governments better serve residents and ratepayers.
Reforms have been crafted in consultation with the local government sector and are based on six themes:
To ensure that key election related reforms were in place before the 2023 local government elections, the amendments to the Act were divided into two tranches. The first tranche, which was passed by Parliament on 11 May 2023, focused on electoral reform.
The second tranche focuses on establishing the new Local Government Inspector and introducing local government monitors for early intervention and resolution of problems.
Tranche two reforms to introduce the Local Government Inspector and the ability to appoint monitors.
Past reforms to the Local Government Act 1995.
The first stage of establishing the proposed new local government inspector and monitors will get underway, with the State Government allocating $702,000 in the State Budget to begin planning and establishing this new office that will prevent and address dysfunction in local government in WA.
LG Alert
New Local Government (Long Service Leave) Regulations 2024 now replace the Local Government (Long Service Leave) Regulations of 1977.
Please join us for our first local government reform webinar for this year.
Local governments must organise for new council members to undertake mandatory training.
Please join us for our monthly reform webinar.
The State Government has brought in the next set of local government regulation amendments with the Local Government Regulation Amendment Regulations (No. 3) 2023.
The next edition of the popular local government reform webinars is scheduled for 3 August and will feature an introduction from the new Minister for Local Government, David Michael.
A community awareness campaign is underway to inform voters about upcoming changes that will be in effect for local government elections in October.
There are several electoral reforms that will be in place for the local government elections in October and it is essential that the community is aware of these changes.
The State Government has introduced priority regulation amendments for local government elections and made the final set of orders for council representation changes for the implementation reforms ahead of the 2023 elections.
Full Reform Proposals provides an overview of all the reforms topics that were consulted on.
The DLGSC holds regular webinars to explain reforms and update the local government sector on progress.
Register for LG Alerts to be notified of future webinars.
Previous webinars are available for viewing: Local government reform webinars
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about reform, email us at actreview@dlgsc.wa.gov.au