Local Government Reform process ceases

The City of Armadale is now developing an exit strategy following the State Government’s decision to put its local government reform process on hold.

Premier Colin Barnett announced yesterday afternoon that boundary adjustments for 15 metropolitan local governments will only proceed if affected councils provided a resolution in support of it.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson indicated that he will hold discussions with any Council wishing to proceed with reform before rescinding Governor’s Orders issued for boundary adjustments.

CEO Ray Tame said the City of Armadale is well aware that the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has already withdrawn from the reform process, making it unlikely the Government will proceed any further.

“The City is yet to consider its options,” Mr Tame said.

He said while always seeking continuous improvement, the City did not initially seek any change to its organisation, boundaries or operations.

In response to the reform proposal, the City compiled and put forward a submission that was most likely to provide positive outcomes for the district.

“We are disappointed about the amount of money, time and energy that now appears to have been wasted on the reform process,” Mr Tame said.

“We have been working with the Shire of Murray and Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale in good faith and the proposed changes were confirmed in Governor’s Orders issued on 24 December 2014.

“We did everything required to meet the Governor’s objectives and were prepared for changeover on 1 July 2015.”

Mr Tame said direct reform costs incurred by the City of Armadale this financial year totalled more than $300,000 and would have amounted to about $1.2 million by 30 June.

“Those figures do not include the hundreds of hours existing City of Armadale staff have spent working on the reform process so far,” he said.

“We would also estimate several hundred thousand dollars in associated costs over the past few years in the lead up to implementation.”

Mr Tame said staff of all three Councils have always had a good relationship.

“I would like to think that everyone has learnt something about better governance from the process,” he said.

“There is so much work involved in looking after growth areas and we now need to convert those lessons into better outcomes for our communities.”