News

Amendments to Regulations applying to local governments’ 2019-20 audited financial statements

Nov 9, 2020

LG Alert

The Local Government (Financial Management) Amendment Regulations 2020 have been published in the Government Gazette (6 November 2020).

Local Government Regulations Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2020

Nov 6, 2020

Departmental Circular 13 2020

The Local Government Regulations Amendment Regulations (No.2) 2020 (previously named the Local Government Regulations Amendments (Consequential) Regulations 2020) have been published in the Government Gazette today (6 November 2020).

State Theatre Centre of WA - Photo by Robert Frith-Acorn Photo

Funding to reignite WA theatre activity

Nov 5, 2020

Perth will be buzzing with new local theatre next year thanks to funding for three upcoming productions through the Western Australian Theatre Development Initiative (WATDI).

Albany Town Hall. Photon-Photos iStock Getty Images Plus

Funding provides opportunities to Great Southern theatre artists

Nov 5, 2020

A satirical musical theatre piece will be presented at the recently renovated Albany Town Hall, thanks to funding from the State Government's Western Australian Theatre Development Initiative (WATDI).

A stock image of a group of people in a meeting

Restrictions eased for local government electors’ meetings

Nov 4, 2020

LG Alert

COVID-19 restrictions are being eased for local government electors’ meetings from today.

New underwater camera system to boost WAIS Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls

Nov 4, 2020

Western Australia's elite swimmers will benefit from a new state-of-the-art above water/underwater multi-camera motion analysis system installed at HBF Stadium.

Regional volunteer coaches and officials get up to $1000 for training expenses

Nov 4, 2020

Applications are now open for volunteer coaches and officials in regional Western Australia to receive up to $1000 to support skill development and accreditation.

A person swimming at a local swimming pool

Recovery continues as clubs net $1.23 million in infrastructure funding

Nov 3, 2020

Thirty sport and recreation facilities to get $1.23 million to improve community infrastructure

Local Government (Model Code of Conduct) Regulations 2020 - consultation

Nov 2, 2020

LG Alert

On 27 June 2019, the Local Government Legislation Amendment Act 2019 was passed in Parliament. The Act includes a requirement for the introduction of a mandatory code of conduct for council members, committee members and candidates.

Updates to the COVID Event Plans process for high risk events

Nov 2, 2020

Event organisers and local governments should be aware of the following important information regarding submission of high risk COVID Event Plans to the Department of Health, including mandatory cut-off dates for those events occurring in December and January.

Draft CEO Standards regulations consultation – deadline extended

Nov 2, 2020

LG Alert

The deadline for comment on the draft copy of regulations that will introduce mandatory minimum standards covering the recruitment, selection, performance review and early termination of local government CEOs (CEO Standards) has been extended.

Private ATO ruling applying to regional local governments

Oct 30, 2020

LG Alert

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has recently made a private ruling, confirming that the fee for a Grant of Right of Burial and a renewal of a Grant of Right of Burial is exempt from GST.

PALS program promotes reconciliation in WA classrooms

Oct 29, 2020

Schools across Western Australia will continue to create projects next year that promote and advance reconciliation in their local community through the Partnership, Acceptance, Learning and Sharing (PALS) program.

Minister Mick Murray with people at the Broome basketball courts

Hot Kimberley sun a barrier no more for Broome basketballers and netballers

Oct 28, 2020

Kimberley residents and visitors can now enjoy weatherproof court facilities at the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre (BRAC) following a $1.94 million upgrade to boost local participation in grassroots sports.

Proposed amendments to Local Government Financial Management Regulations

Oct 27, 2020

LG Alert

The proposed amendments to the Local Government Financial Management Regulations for valuation of assets from 2019-20 onwards are expected to be considered at the Executive Council Meeting of 3 November 2020.

Sunrise at Wave Rock (Hyden Rock), Hyden, Western Australia

Alternative Queen's Birthday Public Holiday Dates 2021

Oct 21, 2020

Departmental Circular 12 2020

The Governor has declared that the Celebration Day for the Anniversary of the Birthday of the Reigning Sovereign (Queen's Birthday public holiday) will be observed in 2021 on Monday 27 September.

CEO profile: Stephanie Addison Brown

Oct 21, 2020

Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

A man windsurfing. Credit: Ben Welsh Getty Images

State Government contributes $85,000 to enrich country sport

Oct 21, 2020

Six regional sport initiatives to receive funding through Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.

Kids and families playing together during a festival.

Local governments aid COVID recovery

Oct 21, 2020

Local governments are playing a vital role in communities’ COVID-19 recovery.

Participants of the Pedal Plantagenet Program gathered in Wilson Park Mount Barker to celebrate Bike Month 2020.

Local governments host WA Bike Month events

Oct 21, 2020

A host of local governments are among the organisations putting on WA Bike Month events during October.

Minister Mick Murray and Amber Jade Sanderson MLA, Member for Morley with kids from Camboon Little Athletics Clubs

24,500 more kids can bounce back to sport thanks to Lotterywest

Oct 20, 2020

The State Government has launched the new Back to Sport program, with grants available for families and sports clubs to re-engage in sport as Western Australia continues its recovery from COVID-19.

New exemptions introduced to continue WA’s strong recovery

Oct 19, 2020

On the advice of the Chief Health Officer, the State Government will extend Phase 4 of the COVID-19 roadmap but will now allow exemptions to the 2 square metre rule at selected venues to continue Western Australia's economic recovery and keep WA safe and strong.

Perth Public Library. Credit: Adrian Wojcik, Getty Images

Libraries recognised by State and local government

Oct 19, 2020

WA’s public libraries have been recognised with the signing of a new agreement.

Thunderstorm over dry farmland, Toodyay WA. Credit: Neal Pritchard Photography, Getty Images

Report into Shire of Toodyay handed down

Oct 19, 2020

Report into the Shire of Toodyay has been tabled in Parliament.

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 19-25 October

Partnership provides support to problem gamblers

Oct 19, 2020

As Responsible Gambling Awareness Week kicks off for another year, Western Australians are reminded that support is available for those experiencing gambling related harm.

COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor Phase 3

COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor – WA Phase 3 report out now

Oct 16, 2020

The final report is now available, showing how Western Australian audiences felt in September 2020 about attending arts events again, compared to earlier in the year.

$1.45 million boost for sport and recreation in City of Stirling

Oct 14, 2020

The $1.45 million refurbishment of change rooms at Des Penman Memorial Reserve in Nollamara has been officially opened.

Referees at the Broome Basketball Carnival, 9,10, 11 Oct 2020

Kimberley athletes among those to benefit from community sporting grants

Oct 13, 2020

Five Kimberley sporting groups are among 17 groups receiving funds under the latest rounds of the Active Regional Communities grants program and the North West Travel Subsidy initiative.

Safer WA for Children and Young People webpage on a laptop

Online resource ensuring a safer WA for children and young people

Oct 13, 2020

An online resource providing the latest information on child safety for organisations and individuals has been launched by the State Government.

Mowanjum Festival 2011 at Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre. Photo by Matthew Scurfield.

Grant program to support connection to Country

Oct 12, 2020

A grant program opening soon will support Western Australian Aboriginal people and organisations to undertake trips to renew links between community, Country and culture.

Grants open for WA sport and recreation industry to support club development

Oct 12, 2020

The State Government has committed $600,000 of funding per year for two years to support club development.

East Pilbara Arts Centre. Photo courtesy of the Shire of East Pilbara.

Landmark project to map Pilbara’s Aboriginal art movement

Oct 8, 2020

A new landmark project will map the Pilbara Aboriginal art movement for the first time, providing insight into the development of the region's unique Aboriginal art, artists and art centres.

Local government input required — Graffiti Vandalism Strategy

Oct 6, 2020

Departmental Circular 11 2020

On behalf of the State Graffiti Taskforce, all local governments are urged to complete the reporting form to help make an accurate assessment of the cost of managing graffiti vandalism in Western Australia.