Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein will soon begin meeting with the state's 29 councils to discuss voluntary amalgamations.
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The government has a stated policy of encouraging, but not forcing, councils to look at possible mergers and greater resource sharing.
Mr Gutwein said he would meet with mayors over the next three months for preliminary discussions about the possibility of amalgamations.
The meetings, he said, would be guided by principles of keeping changes in the interest of ratepayers, improving community services, preserving local representation and ensuring financial sustainability.
"There is no doubt there has been a shift in community perceptions around the need for structural reform in local government," Mr Gutwein said.
"I urge all mayors to undertake community consultation as part of this process to ensure we get good outcomes for councils and the communities they represent."
Mr Gutwein said in question time this morning that he had already received expressions of interest about amalgamations from about 12 councils.