News

Latest news from the department.

All news

Image of a court gavel and scales of justice, with text: Prosecution update.

Former councillor found guilty and fined

Sep 25, 2024
A former local government councillor was fined by the Magistrates Court after being found guilty on 16 September 2024 of seven charges of breaching the Local Government Act 1995 arising from conduct that occurred while being a member of a council.
A person casting their vote

Local government reform webinar 2

Apr 19, 2023

LG Alert

The first tranche of reforms to the Local Government Act 1995 is progressing through Parliament.

Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 introduced

Feb 23, 2023

LG Alert

Local Government Minister, the Hon John Carey MLA has presented the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 to the WA Parliament.
High angle view of a townscape against sky during sunset

Submissions to the proposed local government reforms

Apr 14, 2022
Submissions to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries on proposed local government reforms are now available for viewing.
Paperwork on desk

Governance update

Jun 26, 2020

LG Alert

The impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic have been felt by everyone.
Documents hard copy files

Town of Cambridge issued with show cause notice

May 26, 2020
Local Government Minister David Templeman today issued the Town of Cambridge with a show cause notice asking why the local government should not be suspended for up to six months and require council members to undertake governance training.
GettyImages-72890531_1405x791

State Government exercises new powers to help ratepayers

May 8, 2020
The Minister for Local Government has exercised his new powers under the Local Government Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020.
Person writing

Local Government (COVID-19 response) Order 2020

May 7, 2020

Ministerial Circular 3 2020

As you would be aware, the Local Government Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 was passed by Parliament on 16 April 2020 and came into effect on 21 April 2020.
A person  writing with a pen

Local Government Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020

Apr 21, 2020

LG Alert

On 20 April 2020, the Local Government Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 received Royal Assent.
Local Government Act changes

Local Government Act changes to support COVID-19 response

Apr 15, 2020
The State Government will today introduce legislation to support local governments as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Governance update: local government reforms

Dec 6, 2019
The Local Government Legislation Amendment Act 2019 introduced a range of new reforms when it was passed by Parliament in June 2019.
A local Christmas pagent with community members in a crowd

Panel appointed to help develop new Local Government Act for WA

Nov 6, 2019
Local Government Minister David Templeman today announced the formation of an expert panel to progress the development of a new Local Government Act for Western Australia.
Montage of people

Elections herald a new era in local government

Oct 31, 2019
The local government elections held on 19 October herald a new era for local government in WA — and the culmination of two years’ behind-the-scenes work by staff at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
A stock image of a group of people meeting in a boardroom

Landmark local government reform brings councils into the 21st century

Jun 27, 2019
Landmark local government reforms passed by State Parliament will bring councils into the 21st century as the first reforms resulting from the Local Government Act review.
WA State Parliament

Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Apr 23, 2019

Ministerial Circular 1 2019

Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
WA State Parliament

Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Apr 18, 2019

Departmental Circular 3 2019

​In June 2017, the McGowan Government announced a review of the Local Government Act 1995 (LG Act).
Albany wind farm

Ministerial Circular 04 2018

Dec 21, 2018

Ministerial Circular 4 2018

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it is timely to reflect on a busy 2018 and what promises to be an equally busy 2019.
Page reviewed 23 August 2023