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New WA Local Government Association president Mark Irwin.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumNew WALGA president vows ‘stronger’ advocacy, not change

Newly elected WALGA president Mark Irwin has vowed to be a ‘stronger voice’ for WA’s 139 councils, but downplayed any major change to the association’s direction.

Liam Murphy

Electors passed a motion of no confidence in the City of Fremantle.

Local governmentCommentsPremiumNo confidence, no worries: City ignores electors’ concerns

The City of Fremantle is taking a ‘steady as she goes’ approach after electors declared they did not have confidence in how it was managing its finances.

Michael Palmer

An artist's impression of the proposed development.

DevelopmentCommentsPremiumControversial development approved despite expert warning

A doctor fears patient consultations at a medical centre will suffer from an adjoining three-storey development.

Michael Palmer

The City of Canning wants Shelley Bridge expanded to cope with increased traffic.

State politicsCommentsPremiumPerth’s housing targets creates local infrastructure crisis

A councillor has echoed fears a State Government push for more housing is overloading communities.

Michael Palmer

Jenna Costello, Ishka Parkes, 3, Georgie Costello, 4, and Laura Boston.

DESIGNS NOT UP TO SCRATCHPremiumParents lash toddler playground redesign as ‘lacklustre’

A series of “lacklustre” designs for the upgraded Middleton Beach toddler playground have come under fire by local parents, who believe none of the five proposed concepts are accessible for young children.

Melissa Sheil

Main Roads’ near miss camera situated at the Stubbs Street and Kulin Lake Grace Road intersection in Lake Grace.

Dangerous DriversPremiumDriver fault main cause of Lake Grace intersection accidents

A Main Roads report has revealed driver fault as the primary cause behind a notoriously dangerous intersection in a Wheatbelt town that has been the site of hundreds of near misses and accidents.

Hannah Whitehead

Tamara de Lange was gifted flowers and a certificate by Shire of Brookton president Rod Wallis on behalf of the council at the February 19 council meeting.

Council Chaos PremiumBrookton signs off on $14k election after councillor quits

A long-time Wheatbelt councillor officially resigned from her seat at the table only three months after the recent election, costing the shire thousands to fill the vacant spot.

Hannah Whitehead

Shire of Dumbleyung president Amy Knight and chief executive Gavin Treasure have appeared in Katanning Magistrates Court on behalf of the shire, which is charged with unauthorised clearing of native vegetation.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
COURTPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Wheatbelt shire admits to illegal clearing of native flora

A Wheatbelt shire has been in court after admitting to clearing native flora from an endangered reserve without a permit and laying a road in its place. 

Hannah Whitehead

The City of Perth has allocated money to address workplace issues.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumPerth council cuts culture funding, keeps travel allowance

The City of Perth council has voted to spend less than half the recommended amount to address issues revealed in an explosive psychosocial risk assessment report.

Sophie Gannon

Town of Cambridge

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumWestern suburbs council’s huge leisure centre upgrades call

The council made the decision as it develops a master plan to guide spending on all its leisure and open spaces for the next 50 years. 

Harriet Flinn

Rockingham mayor Lorna Buchan threatened to shut down the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday night after members of the public began yelling over FOGO.

WA NewsCommentsPremiumMayor’s threats to shut down meeting over fiery bin stoush

The subject of bins kicked off a fiery shouting match between the newly elected mayor and a group of disgruntled ratepayers at the Rockingham council meeting on Tuesday night. 

Rachel Fenner

Harvey's Wildflower Ridge walk overlooking Harvey Dam.

Reconciliation Action PlanPremiumHarvey shire’s debate on RAP a “sad indictment” on the shire

Harvey shire president Michelle Campbell was forced to use her casting vote to approve a Reconciliation Action Plan in a debate she called a “sad indictment” on the shire. 

Craig Duncan

Shire of Lake Grace chief executive Alan George standing in front of the abandoned pink building.

PINK BUILDING PROJECTPremiumAbandoned ‘pink building’ in Lake Grace set for revamp

An “unsightly” abandoned building on the main drag of a Wheatbelt town is on its way to a revamp as the shire gets the ball rolling to breathe new life into the site after nearly a decade.

Hannah Whitehead

Members of the Friends of Yakamia Forest group passed two electors motions on February 5.

MOTIONS RECEIVEDCouncil gives token support to Yakamia Forest protection

A group hoping to protect a plot of bushland in Yakamia have received a token gesture of support from the Albany council, which voted to receive its pair of motions passed at this month’s electors meeting.

Melissa Sheil

There has been on average one complaint a week this year about City of Perth council members.

Local governmentCommentsPremiumSeven behaviour complaints against Perth council members

The City of Perth has already received seven complaints about its elected members just seven weeks into the new year.

Sophie Gannon

City of Perth current councillors.

Local governmentCommentsPremiumPerth council immediately suspends business class travel

City of Perth council members will no longer be flying in style, with business class interstate and international travel scrapped to help reduce an ‘unanticipated’ city debt.

Sophie Gannon

Shire of Dumbleyung president Amy Knight at the new family daycare centre’s outdoor play area.

DUMBLEYUNG DAYCARE DELAYDumbleyung daycare delay after unexpected water damage

A Wheatbelt town’s new family daycare centre opening has been stalled after heavy rain caused substantial structural water damage, delaying the much-needed service’s inauguration.

Hannah Whitehead

The public gallery at Tuesday night’s meeting was mostly full with people waiting to hear the council’s decision.

PerthCommentsLocals storm out of meeting after huge Australia Day call

The public gallery at Tuesday night’s meeting was mostly full with people waiting to hear the council’s decision.

Sophie Gannon

Shire of Cranbrook and West Arthur have both joined the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils.

Forest slumpShires consider axing services after plantation rate switch

Reductions in road improvements and cuts to community grants are being considered by rural councils hit by a change in the way rates are collected from forestry plantations.

Claire Middleton

City of Rockingham council building

WA NewsPremiumOne rates bill equals one average Rockingham council dinner

While the cost of living bites and rates continue to go up every year, City of Rockingham councillors are eating thousand-dollar dinners at the expense of ratepayers.

Rachel Fenner

A local government monitor has been appointed at the City of South Perth following allegations of dysfunction between councillors and city staff.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumCouncil appoints monitor after dysfunction allegations

Local Government minister Hannah Beazley revealed a monitor has been appointed at the City of South Perth following allegations of dysfunction between councillors and city staff.

Jessica Evensen

There is no end in sight for a growing mountain of waste accumulating south of Perth which is drawing criticism.

WA NewsCommentsPremium‘Eyesore’ waste mountain to remain as park plans floated

There is no end in sight for a growing mountain of waste accumulating south of Perth, which is drawing criticism despite being only two thirds of the way to its expected height. 

Brooke Rolfe

The City of Perth may be cancelling council members’ travel.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumCouncil member’s travel on chopping block as debt mounts

The City of Perth has been called on to immediately suspend ratepayer-funded travel for council members to help it meet a $285,000 debt.

Sophie Gannon

Cottesloe Beach portable public toilets.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumToilet plan faces more delays after $650k design binned

Another location for a public toilet block along Cottesloe’s foreshore is going back to the drawing board after councillors questioned the $650,000 facility.

Harriet Flinn