Boards and commissions

The department provides executive support to both the Local Government Advisory Board and the WA Local Government Grants Commission. 

Local Government Advisory Board

 

The Local Government Advisory Board (Board) is a statutory body established under the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) to advise the Minister for Local Government (the Minister) on local government constitutional matters. 

Its major function is to assess proposals to change local government boundaries and their systems of representation and make recommendations to the Minister.

The Board has 5 members appointed by the Governor: 
  • Chairperson (nominated by the Minister)
  • Deputy Chairperson (an officer of LGIRS nominated by the Minister)
  • 2 people with experience as a member of a council appointed from a list submitted to the Minister by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA)
  • 1 person with experience as a local government chief executive officer appointed from a list submitted to the Minister by the Local Government Professionals Australia WA (LG Pro).

There is also a deputy for each of the positions other than the Chairperson. A person can only be appointed as a deputy for a member if they are eligible to be appointed to the office of that member.

The Board receives administrative support from LGIRS.

 

Local Government Advisory Board members (as at July 2025)

Chairperson, Ms Carol Adams OAM
Nominated by Minister
Term ends 31 August 2027

Deputy Chairperson, Vacant
Officer of LGIRS
Nominated by the Minister 

Member, Mr Anthony Vuleta — City of Kalamunda, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by LG Pro
Term ends 31 August 2026

Member, Cr Russ Fishwick — City of Joondalup, Councillor
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2026

Member, Cr Caroline Knight — City of Mandurah, Acting Mayor
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2027

Deputy to Deputy Chairperson, Ms Amy Halliday — LGIRS, Manager Sector Support
Nominated by the Minister
Term ends 31 August 2026

Deputy to Anthony Vuleta, Ms Joanne Abbiss — City of Armadale, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by LG Pro
Term ends 31 August 2026

Deputy to Russ Fishwick, Ms Alison Xamon — City of Vincent, Mayor
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2027

Deputy to Caroline Knight, Cr Jannah Stratford — Shire of Koorda, President
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2027

Wards and representation

Under Schedule 2.2 of the Act, local governments with wards must conduct regular reviews of ward boundaries of representation in consultation with their communities.

The board considers the outcome of these reviews and ensures that the local governments have complied with the Act.

The Board must recommend to the Minister​ any proposal that, in its opinion, correctly takes account of the criteria in the documents below. The Minister may accept or reject the board's recommendation but cannot change it.

The majority of ward and representation reviews will not be considered as one of a minor nature. Most proposals will necessitate a six-week consultation period. If you are uncertain, it is advisable to contact the Board staff to discuss your specific situation beforehand. 

District boundaries

Under Schedule 2.1 of the Act, proposals to change local government district boundaries can be submitted to the board by the Minister, local governments or electors of an affected local government.

Where the board decides that a proposed district boundary change is not minor, it must conduct formal inquiries giving affected local governments and electors six weeks to make submissions.

The board must consider any submissions received a​nd take specific factors into consideration. When its assessment is complete, the board submits a report to the Minister for Local Government with a recommendation. This may recommend that the proposal be accepted or rejected. The minister may accept or reject the board’s recommendation but cannot change it.

WA Local Government Grants Commission

The WA Local Government Grants Commission (Commission) is a statutory body established under the Local Government Grants Act 1978.

Its principal function is to make recommendations to the Minister for Local Government on the allocation of Commonwealth financial assistance grants to WA's 137 local governments and the two Indian Ocean Territories. 

The Commission has 5 members appointed by the Governor:
  • Chairperson nominated by the Minister
  • Deputy Chairperson, an officer of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) nominated by the Director General and approved by the Minister
  • 1 Metropolitan Member selected by the Minister from a panel of names submitted by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) to represent local governments in the metropolitan area
  • 1 Country Urban Member selected by the Minister from a panel of names submitted by WALGA to represent local government cities or towns outside the metropolitan area
  • 1 Country Rural Member selected by the Minister from a panel of names submitted by WALGA to represent local government shires outside the metropolitan area.

The Governor may also appoint a person as the deputy of a member other than the Chairperson. 

The Commission receives administrative support from LGIRS.

For detailed information relating to Financial Assistance Grants, including current allocations please visit: Financial Assistance Grants

    WA Local Government Grants Commission (as at July 2025)

    Chairperson, Dr Wendy Giles — City of Bunbury, former councillor
    Nominated by Minister

    Term ends 31 August 2027

    Deputy Chairperson, Mr Luke Stevens — LGIRS, Senior Lawyer
    Nominated by the LGIRS Director General and approved by the Minister

    Term ends 31 August 2029

    Metropolitan Member, Vacant

    Nominated by WALGA

    Country Urban Member, Vacant

    Nominated by WALGA

    Country Rural Member, Ms Melinda Prinsloo — Shire of Chittering, Chief Executive Officer
    Nominated by WALGA

    Term ends 31 August 2027 

    Deputy to the Deputy Chair, Vacant

    Nominated by the LGIRS Director General and approved by the Minister

    Deputy Metropolitan Member, Vacant

    Nominated by WALGA

    Deputy Country Urban Member, Ms Virginia Miltrup — City of Karratha, Chief Executive Officer
    Nominated by WALGA

    Term ends 31 August 2026

    Deputy Country Rural Member, Cr Christopher Mitchell — Shire of Broome, President
    Nominated by WALGA
    Term ends 31 August 2027

    Ministerial Statement of Expectation

    In June 2021, the then Minister for Local Government provided a Statement of Expectation to the WA Local Government Grants Commission. 

    The Statement reflects the Public Sector Commissioner's governance and performance requirements for State Government boards.

    WA Local Government Grants Commission - Ministerial Statement of Expectation

    WA Local Government Grants Commission Statement of Intent

    To the Minister for Local Government

    Thank you for your Statement of Expectation, dated June 2021. On behalf of the WA Local Government Grants Commission, I am pleased to respond with this Statement of Intent, which outlines how the commission will implement your expectations.

    I formally commit the commission to meeting your expectations and to ensuring that the Government's key requirements for the commission are realised. We will continue to work to ensure that the community's confidence in the commission is preserved and strengthened and that, in all our activities, we operate in a way that promotes collaboration and demonstrates accountability and transparency in support of the government's priorities. 

    We wish to reaffirm all elements of the Statement of Expectations and include the following priorities:

    Good governance

    Commission members will undertake their duties with the required diligence, care and skill. The commission will adopt and follow best practice governance processes, ensuring all members are aware of, and comply with, governance principles and reporting arrangements as set out in the Local Government Grants Act 1978 (WA) and in the commission's governance documents, such as the Code of Conduct and the Commissioner's Charter.

    Corporate governance documents will be reviewed on a regular basis. Appropriate training will be provided to commission members as required. The commission will continue to maintain the high level of corporate governance that is already in place, including a robust, transparent and accountable system of annual reporting to Parliament. 

    Ethical behaviour and conflicts of interest

    Commission members will act ethically and impartially at all times and will identify, declare and manage any real or perceived conflict of interest in the discharge of its functions. 

    The commission will continue to develop processes and methodologies that ensure that the allocation and distribution of Commonwealth grants funding by the commission is evidence based, fair, objective and impartial.

    Performance management 

    As required, the commission will undertake performance reviews, to ensure that:

    • the functions of the commission have been performed
    • individual members have effectively discharged their duties
    • the current composition of the commission provides for an appropriate mix of skills, diversity and length of tenure across the individual members.

    Appointments

    Advice will be provided to you in a timely manner in relation to commission appointments. Consideration will also be given to the benefits of combining longer term, more experienced members, with newer members, who may provide a path to commission renewal. 

    Government policies and objectives

    In addition to statutory functions, the commission will take into account wider economic benefits to the state, impacts on other Government agencies and key Government policies as part of the planning and decision-making processes, as appropriate. 

    The commission will also comply with relevant general policy requirements and will inform the Minister of any instances of non-compliance and the subsequent actions being taken to address the situation.

    Financial management

    The commission will endeavour to meet all required statutory financial management obligations. This will include ensuring that any actions taken in achieving the commission's objectives represent value for money. 

    Communication

    The commission will ensure that timely and accurate information is provided to you to allow you to effectively meet your Ministerial and Parliamentary obligations. 

    The commission will also do the same for your advisers and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

    Conclusion

    The commission will continue to diligently manage its activities in accordance with legislative requirements and will continue to comply with all relevant corporate governance requirements.

    All new members of the commission will undergo an induction program and will receive a comprehensive handbook detailing their role and responsibilities. All commission members are to abide by the Code of Conduct and will be offered ongoing support by the Chair and executive staff.

    The commission looks forward to continuing to work with you and delivering on your Ministerial expectations.

    Hon Fred Riebeling
    Chair, WA Local Government Grants Commission

    Contact

    Telephone 61 8 6552 1673
    Email grants.commission@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

    Page reviewed 17 July 2025