Councils working together to achieve reform

Staff from the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, City of Armadale and Shire of Murray are preparing to implement structural and operational changes to meet Local Government Reform boundary changes on 1 July 2015.

Governor’s Orders were handed down on 24 December 2014 confirming the State Government’s amendment to the boundaries of the City of Armadale and Shire of Murray, and the abolition of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

The new City of Armadale will incorporate the northern part of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale down to Mundijong Road, including Byford, Mundijong, Whitby, Cardup, Darling Downs, Karrakup, Oakford and Oldbury.

The expanded Shire of Murray will incorporate the southern part of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale from Mundijong Road, including Hopeland, Jarrahdale, Keysbrook, Mardella and Serpentine.

A Local Implementation Committee (LIC), which includes the CEOs and Mayor or Shire President from each Council, has been established to facilitate a seamless transition on changeover day.

LIC Chairperson, Mayor Henry Zelones said all three Councils are committed to working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for their communities and to maintaining the excellent level of service currently available.

“Residents will continue to receive their services from the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale until changeover day on 1 July this year,” he said.

“In addition to the work being done by the various working groups, staff from all three local governments are currently transferring data and sharing knowledge to ensure everything is in place on time.

“We will endeavour to keep residents fully informed about the reform process and any resulting changes to services as soon as those details become available.”

Mayor Zelones said a key part of the transition process will be establishing a customer service centre at the current SJ building on Paterson Street in Mundijong from 1 July.

CoA staff based at Mundijong will be able to provide a range of services and also assist residents to contact relevant staff via video-conferencing appointments if required.

“This service will be available to all former Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale residents after changeover, including residents that are located within the expanded Shire of Murray boundary,” he said.

“We are committed to making sure all of our residents can continue to access the services and assistance they require.”

Mayor Zelones said it is also vital that all staff are kept fully informed about the reform process and any potential changes to their employment conditions.

A joint website for employees from all three local governments has been established to allow staff to access information about human resources and the reform process.

“Staff at all three Councils are committed to maintaining the current high level of service for residents both now and after changeover,” he said.

“Staffing requirements have yet to be finalised, but all staff members have a State Government commitment that no local government employee will be disadvantaged by the reform process for a period of two years from 1 July 2015.

“The boundary adjustment has the potential to strengthen our communities and, over time, to improve infrastructure and services across the region with increased population growth and more opportunities for employment.”

Information about the reform process is available on all three Council websites. Residents will also receive updates through local newspaper adverts, social media and printed material as more details about the changeover are finalised.