Authorised Inquiry reports into three local governments have been tabled in the Western Australian Parliament today.
The reports, into the cities of Subiaco and Cockburn and the Shire of Wiluna, detail issues of concern at the three local governments.
They also provide recommendations intended to improve those governments' ability to provide good governance to the community.
Recommendations to improve the local governments' operations include:
- a governance review at the City of Subiaco;
- a governance review and elected member/executive team training at the City of Cockburn; and
- elected member training at the Shire of Wiluna
All three councils must report back on improvements made to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries within a specified timeframe.
As stated by Local Government Minister John Carey:
"The contents of these reports, from investigations undertaken under the previous term of government, detail a number of areas of concern. However, the focus is now on supporting these councils to improve their governance, transparency and accountability.
"The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries will provide guidance and support to the cities of Subiaco and Cockburn and the Shire of Wiluna to get work underway.
"Building a strong system of local government that operates efficiently, effectively, with transparency and in the best interests of the community is a priority of the McGowan Government.
"In the coming term of Government, I will be looking closely at the Act and seeking to implement reforms which focus on earlier intervention to address emerging issues and supporting better governance across the sector."
