A review of the Local Government Act has been proposed, with an eye to applying a more contemporary framework to the sector as a whole.
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With 2018 marking the 25th anniversary of the act, Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein said it was “crucial” the legislation governing councils always “reflects and supports” community expectations.
“The past quarter of a century has seen significant social, economic and technological changes,” he said.
“The role of councils and community expectations have expanded in line with these changes.”
Mr Gutwein noted the act had been amended on a number of occasions over the preceding 25 years, responding to “an increasingly changing and dynamic environment”.
But he said the state government had formed the view that “continuous, ‘catch-up’ amendments” were neither efficient nor sustainable.
The review will seek to ensure greater innovation, flexibility and productivity in local government, less red tape and increased accountability and transparency in the sector.
A discussion paper will be released in the coming months.