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Latest news from the department.

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Western Australia — It's like no other

Dec 20, 2021
With the safe transition plan locked in 5 February next year, the WA Government has recently launched a campaign to attract visitors, students, investors and workers back to the State.

Tags: regional tourism

All news

Minister Mick Murray at the Southern Cross Aquatic Centre

Summer swimming on the cards in Southern Cross with new $5.65 million aquatic centre

Nov 28, 2020
The new $5.65 million Southern Cross Aquatic Centre was officially opened today by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray.
Female footballer holding a footbal

Kick-off time for $7.9 million Lakelands Park sports facility in Mandurah

Nov 27, 2020
The new Lakelands Park shared sports facility and clubrooms just north of Mandurah was officially opened by Mandurah MLA David Templeman.
Midsection of guitarist performing at a music concert

Grants continue to support local music industry

Nov 27, 2020
Popular Perth rock band Methyl Ethel will embark on a worldwide publicity campaign for their new album, thanks to funding from the State Government's Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program.
Contact register for business icon

Mandatory contact registers in WA

Nov 25, 2020

LG Alert

The State Government has announced that mandatory contact registers at relevant businesses and venues will be introduced from 5 December 2020.
A close-up photo of someone at a laptop holding a credit card

How to pay your annual liquor licence fees

Nov 23, 2020
The department mailed out invoices for annual liquor licence fees on 17 November 2020, with payments due on or before 1 January 2021.
A woman and a girl looking at an exhibit at the new WA Museum Boola Bardip

Plan your summer visit to the world class new WA Museum Boola Bardip

Nov 23, 2020
Bookings for the spectacular new WA Museum Boola Bardip over the summer holiday season are now open.
Hello, hello - oh hello video on YouTube

Festival films take WA Museum Boola Bardip and WA talent to the world

Nov 21, 2020
Australian rock band Eskimo Joe and singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly lead an all-star cast in a series of short films that have had their world premiere today, as part of the opening celebrations for the new WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Aerial view of the Western Australian Museum from James Street.

Spectacular new $400 million WA Museum Boola Bardip officially opens

Nov 21, 2020
The highly anticipated WA Museum Boola Bardip officially opened today with thousands of Western Australians getting their first taste of the incredible exhibitions, experiences and stories on display in the spectacular new building.
A portrait of Rhonda Hardy, CEO City of Kalamunda

CEO profile: Rhonda Hardy

Nov 20, 2020
Rhonda Hardy has been Chief Executive Officer of the City of Kalamunda since 2013. She has more than 30 years’ State and local government experience, with 20 years in senior management.
Shire of Murray CEO Dean Unsworth

Spotlight on Shire of Murray with CEO Dean Unsworth

Nov 20, 2020
Murray is the ancestral home of the Bindjareb people, and one of the first areas of European settlement in Western Australia, dating back to 1834 when the district was founded.
Karijini National Park 1 Credit Tourism WA

Funding program takes hiking to new heights

Nov 20, 2020
The State Government has launched a new grant program targeting local governments and community organisations to grow participation in trail running and bushwalking activities in Western Australia.
Aerial view of City Beach

Report of the Inquiry into the Town of Cambridge handed down

Nov 18, 2020
The report of the Inquiry into the Town of Cambridge has been tabled in the Western Australian Parliament.
Teenagers at tennis clinic

Regional groups across WA benefit from active community sports funding

Nov 17, 2020
Six community sporting groups across regional Western Australia are to share in more than $18,000 in the latest round of the State Government's Active Regional Communities grants.
Albany Town Hall. Photon-Photos iStock Getty Images Plus

Proposed reform to regulation 9 disallowed

Nov 13, 2020

LG Alert

Despite proposed reform to the Local Government (Rules of Conduct) Regulations (regulation 9) being disallowed by the Legislative Council on 11 November, the provisions of the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) remain unchanged.
FRINGE WORLD Festival. Photo by Jason Matz.

Get ready to binge on FRINGE, as tickets go on sale today

Nov 12, 2020
It is almost that time of year, FRINGE WORLD 2021 is coming and is set to be a bonanza of Western Australian creative and artistic talent.
Kambalda’s new $3 million aquatic centre

Locals set to make a splash at Kambalda’s new $3 million aquatic centre

Nov 9, 2020
Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray today officially opened the Shire of Coolgardie's new $3 million Kambalda Aquatic Facility.
Staff member using office equipment

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).
Person writing

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.
The new camera at WAIS

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.
A coach watching her players

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
Theatre audience

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.
Gravestones on a grassy field

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.
Mater Dei College students, 2018

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.
Stephanie Addison Brown

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.
Theatre audience

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.

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Page reviewed 03 November 2021
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