Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts said a ‘yes’ vote would ensure local government was recognised in the Australian Constitution.
‘Constitutional recognition means the Commonwealth Government can fund local governments direct and this is crucial to the future of many infrastructure projects,’ she said.
‘The role of local government has evolved considerably in recent decades, and we now do a lot more than the traditional roads, rates and rubbish.
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She said Commonwealth Government funding was critical for many of these services.
‘The Federal Government has already assisted with Ocean Reef Road, Hepburn Avenue, the GP Superclinic now being built in Wanneroo Town Centre, in addition to healthy living programs for our residents.’
WA Local Government Association president and Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said it was critical the public recognised the importance of the referendum.
‘A referendum about constitutional recognition could easily be glossed over by the public as having little relevance to them but nothing could be further from the truth,’ he said.
‘What this referendum means for local communities is that they will at last have certainty for the funding of a range of Commonwealth funded projects that could otherwise be under threat.’
The referendum will be held in conjunction with the Federal Election on September 14.