Last week, Perth’s 30 metropolitan councils met with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson to discuss the prolonged process with the government committing to releasing its reform plans within two months.
However, Rockingham Deputy Mayor Deb Hamblin said the City’s meeting with Mr Simpson did not shed any new light on local government reform and it was waiting on a ‘clear direction’ from the government.
‘The minister advised that the state government’s response to the Robson Report, which will include a new map of a revised metropolitan local government structure, will be announced in August,’ she said.
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READ NOW‘Discussion centred on the timing of any future local government amalgamations, the process that would be used and the many other governance issues that were raised in the Robson Report.’
Released last year, the report suggested a likely merger between the Cities of Rockingham and Kwinana.
Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the widely popular proposal of ‘around 15’ metropolitan local governments did not paint a great picture for Kwinana’s long-term independence.
The City has previously flagged merging with the City of Cockburn as its preferred option, rather than amalgamating with the City of Rockingham.
‘It’s extremely unlikely that a proposal for 15 local governments would still include the City of Kwinana as we stand today,’ Mayor Adams said.
‘That’s why it is imperative we act fast to evaluate the current political climate, adopt a strong leadership stance, and prepare to submit a proposal which ticks more boxes for Kwinana and our residents.’
Mr Simpson said the government would take into account the Robson Report, submissions and meeting feedback when deciding its preference.
He said any boundary changes would be finalised with the Local Government Advisory Board.
n Would you be happy if the Cities of Rockingham and Kwinana merged?