Local government news

Latest news from the department.

All news

Four people holding cats

DLGSC on the road: centralised registration system for cats and dogs

Corinna Musgrave has to be one of the most travelled DLGSC staff members.
Row of voting booths

Local government election transitions

Nearly half of WA’s local governments will be impacted by proposed local government ward and representation electoral reforms, which are due to be introduced in Parliament early this year.

Audit report identifies cyber security issues

LG Alert

Local governments to review and improve on system issues to protect against cyber threats in accordance with the Office of the Auditor General report – Information Systems Audit Report 2022 – Local Government Entities.

Compliance Audit Return 2022

LG Alert

In accordance with regulation 14 of the Local Government (Audit) Regulations 1996, local governments are required to carry out a compliance audit return for the period of 1 January to 31 December of each year.
Australian flag

Australian national flag to fly at half-mast – 5 January 2023

LG Alert

Funeral Service for His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (1927 - 2022)
Lovers Cove in Albany, Western Australia

LG Hotline unavailable 12 noon, 23 December 2022, resuming 3 January 2023

LG Alert

The Local Government Advisory Hotline service provides local government officers and elected members with support and advice related to the Local Government Act 1995.
Industrial worker wearing appropriate protective work wear

Transition to State Industrial Relations System from 1 January 2023

LG Alert

The Minister for Industrial Relations has announced that local government employers that currently operate in the national industrial relations system will transfer to the State industrial relations system on 1 January 2023.
Local streetscape in Perth with the CBD in the distance

Safe and Together Community Grants Program — open for applications!

LG Alert

Local governments are invited to apply for a grant under the Australian Government’s Safe and Together Community Grants Program.
A photo of the Donnybrook Post Office

Former Director General appointed as Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Commissioner

Local Government Minister John Carey has today announced the appointment of respected former senior public sector leader Gail McGowan as Commissioner of the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup.
Aerial view of a beach near Esperance

Requesting an alternative date for the King’s Birthday public holiday in 2023

LG Alert

Local governments interested in having an alternative date declared for the King’s Birthday public holiday in their district can make a request to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

Ombudsman Webinar: Reportable Conduct Scheme

LG Alert

The Ombudsman WA is overseeing implementation of the Reportable Conduct Scheme (the Scheme) as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Australian flag

Australian National Flag at half-mast and observance of 1 minute of silence

LG Alert

Remembrance Day, Friday 11 November 2022
Videoconferencing. Image: Getty Images/Morsa Images

Local Government (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2022

LG Alert

The State Government has introduced new provisions to enable Western Australian local governments to continue to conduct council meetings electronically.
Two people working on a computer.

Provisions for electronic meetings in local governments

LG Alert

On health advice, Western Australia’s State of Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic is set to end on 12.01am, the morning of Friday 4 November. WA’s strong health outcomes mean we are exceptionally well placed to move into the next stage of the pandemic.
David Bentley standing with with Tim Fraser

Emerging Leader of the Year announced at LG Pro WA Conference

The winner of the Emerging Leader of the Year Award at the LG Professionals WA Annual State Conference has been announced as David Bentley, Coordinator of Governance and Strategy at the Town of Victoria Park.
Round 2 recipients announced for Perth CBD activation grants with an image of an evening night market

Round 2 recipients announced for Perth CBD activation grants

The State Government’s investment in revitalising the Perth CBD and Northbridge continues with 18 eligible businesses, property owners and not-for-profits sharing in more than $1.2 million of funding from the Perth CBD Revitalisation Grant Program.
Page reviewed 14 July 2025