Local Government Structural Reform
Notice to electors of the Shire of Kalamunda

The Minister for Local Government, the Hon John Castrilli MLA has invited all local governments in Western Australia to consider options for the structural reform of local governments.

You are invited to complete the following survey to give your point of view on structural reform in the Shire of Kalamunda. A list of frequently asked questions is attached to help you to understand what is involved.

The Shire of Kalamunda has reviewed each of the four neighbouring Local Governments for potential amalgamation partnerships using the Local Government Reform Steering Committee’s Structural Reform Guidelines.

Given the geographic location, topographic features and location of communities within the Shire’s existing boundaries, there is no obvious case for amalgamation with another adjoining local government.  However a case could be made for minor adjustment of boundaries between the Shire and neighbouring Shires.  In particular:
• The Shire of Kalamunda will meet with the City of Swan to discuss boundary realignments around the Hazelmere area and north along Midland Road.
• The Shire of Mundaring and Shire of Kalamunda may review boundary alignments towards Helena Valley.
• The City of Gosnells and Shire of Kalamunda will look at some possible minor boundary alignment adjustments.
• The City of Belmont and Shire of Kalamunda will look at possible boundary realignment on airport land.

Council has also adopted changes to the number of Wards in the Shire, with the objective of more balanced representation between the number of Councillors in each ward and the geographical population of the region.

This is your chance to have your say. Your comments are vital to enable the Shire of Kalamunda to accurately represent our community. From August 30, the Minister will review the submissions that each Council presents at that time, including comments made by electors through the survey.

The Kalamunda Council values your feedback and encourages you to respond, please do not miss this opportunity to have your voice heard. Surveys must be returned to the Shire of Kalamunda  by 4.30pm Tuesday the 4th of August 2009.

Structural reform and community Survey

PDF 51kb

Surveys can be handed in at any local library, the Shire of Kalamunda Administration Office (located at 2 Railway Rd in Kalamunda) or by post to PO BOX 42, Kalamunda 6926 or via return email to kala.shire@kalamunda.wa.gov.au

Please note: The following information includes extracts from the Department of Local Government and Regional Developments Frequently Asked Questions. For more information on Local Government Structural Reform in general please go to www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au

Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the benefits of local government structural reform?
Q2. What has the Minister requested from each local government?
Q3. Are any local governments exempt from considering voluntary amalgamation?
Q4. Can the Minister force local government to amalgamate?
Q5. Can the government force local governments to amalgamate?
Q6. Are boundary changes being considered as part of the reform process?
Q7. Is the Shire of Kalamunda sustainable today and into the future?
Q8. What will happen to the Shire Councillors in the case of an amalgamation?
Q9. How would new Councillors be elected?
Q10. What will happen to the staff in the case of an amalgamation?
Q11. In the case of an amalgamation does one Shire or City Council take over the other one?
Q12. What is the best way to advise the Shire of Kalamunda about my view and take part in the Local Government Structural Reform process?

Q1. What are the benefits of local government structural reform?
The desired outcome of reform is a strong and sustainable local government sector. There are a range of benefits that will be achieved through reform including:
• increased capacity for local government to better plan, manage and deliver services to their communities with a focus on social, environmental and economic sustainability;
• increased capacity for local government to have adequate financial and asset management plans in place;
• enhanced efficiency in the processing of planning, building and other licence applications made by business and the community;
• greater ability to attract and retain staff including the provision of further career development opportunities;
• greater competition for positions on Council and, in conjunction with other reforms, potential for enhanced governance capacity; and
• larger local governments with greater capacity to partner with State and Federal Government, and the private sector, to further improve services to communities.

Q2. What has the Minister requested from each local government?
The Minister has requested that all 139 local governments provide their clear intention to him on amalgamation and reducing the number of elected members to between six and nine by 31 August 2009.

Q3. Are any local governments exempt from considering voluntary amalgamation?
No. The Minister has requested every local government advise him of their intention to undertake structural reform through amalgamation/boundary adjustments, representation and regional groupings.

Q4. Can the Minister force local government to amalgamate?
No. The existing legislation does not enable the Minister to force amalgamation. The legislation provides for a poll of electors to be called by the electors or the Minister. The Minister is to abide by the result of such a poll.

A proposal to amalgamate can be defeated only if more than 50% of the eligible electors from the affected local government exercise their right to vote and greater than 50% of those that vote, vote against the proposal.

Q5. Can the government force local governments to amalgamate?
No. (Please see above) However, if the government were to obtain the support of the coalition partners (National Party and Independents) or members of the opposition the parliament could legislate to force reform. Currently there is no known support to force change.

Q6. Are boundary changes being considered as part of the reform process?
Yes, the potential for boundary changes are considered during the reform process. The focus of the Local Government Structural reform agenda is on exploring all options that will enable enhanced sustainability, better decision making and planning and delivery of services to the community.

Q7. Is the Shire of Kalamunda sustainable today and into the future?
Sustainability in essence involves best practice, an ensurance that the responsibilities of an orgnisation or program can be effectively maintained . The Shire of Kalamunda is currently preparing a Structural Reform Submission Report which will provide an in depth assessment of how the Shire will meet their current and future needs.

The key areas of investigation and analysis include the Shire’s capacity in:
1. Long term strategic planning
2. Asset and infrastructure management planning
3. Future Financial viability and planning
4. Equitable governance and community representation
5. Optimal service delivery to community
6. Understanding of and planning for demographic change
7. Proficient organizational capacity
8. Effective political and community advocacy for service delivery
9. Effective management of natural resources
10. Optimal community of interest

As part of the Structural Reform process, internal Service Review workshops have also been held, this process involved thorough analysis of the Shire’s service provision against a framework of assessment criteria. Some of the areas included:
• Core services (in line with budget programs)
• Corporate plan actions
• Current staffing arrangements
• Management / structural arrangements
• Process gaps /improvements required
• Financial implications of service provision
• Service performance measurement
• Funding and partnership arrangements
• Implementation of any identified service delivery efficiency gains

Sustainability is a focus in all Shire of Kalamunda operations and the Shire prides itself on working together to provide effective leadership and services for our whole community.

Q8. What will happen to the Shire Councillors in the case of an amalgamation?
From the date that any amalgamation occurs all existing Councillors will be dismissed and one or more Commissioners will be put place to take their place until a new Council is elected in October 2011.

Q9. How would new Councillors be elected?
The new Councillors (a maximum of 9) will be elected from candidates that can come from all areas of the new local government’s district. All electors can nominate to be Councillor and all electors can vote.

Q10. What will happen to the staff in the case of an amalgamation?
The Local Government Act 1995 includes provisions on amalgamations in Schedule 2.1 – pertaining to the creation of a local government, boundary adjustment and abolishing districts. Section 11 (4) requires that a contract of employment cannot be terminated or varied unless compensation acceptable to the person is made, or a period of 2 years has elapsed since the order took effect.

This will apply to officers with employment terms or contracts of 2 years or more at the time that the existing local governments are dissolved and a new local government is created.

Q11. In the case of an amalgamation does one Shire or City Council take over the other one?
No. Amalgamation creates a whole new entity, new members are elected that represent the new area of the new local government.

Q12. What is the best way to advise the Shire of Kalamunda about my view and take part in the Local Government Structural Reform process?
The Shire of Kalamunda has prepared a Structural Reform Community Survey. Copies of the survey are available at the Shire of Kalamunda Administration, all local Libraries, Recreation Centres, the Jack Healey Centre or via the link below.

Surveys can be handed in at the Shire of Kalamunda Administration, all local Libraries or via return email to kala.shire@kalamunda.wa.gov.au

The Shire will also be holding two community consultation workshops on the following dates:
1. Tuesday 28th of July      
Shire of Kalamunda Administration,
2 Railway Rd in Kalamunda
6.30pm start

2. Wednesday 29th of July
Woodlupine Family and Community Centre
Hale Road in Forrestfield.
6.30pm start.

All members of the public are invited to attend. To RSVP please contact the Shire of Kalamunda on 9257 9999.


Members of the community can also provide their views direct to the Minister for Local Government (Minister.Castrilli@dpc.wa.gov.au), Local Government Reform Steering Committee or the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. For more information please contact:

Department of Local Government and Regional Development
Level 1 Dumas House
2 Havelock St
WEST PERTH 6005

Telephone: (08) 9217 1500
Facsimile: (08) 9217 1555