WAGIN Shire Council president Phillip Blight and acting chief executive (at the time) Len Calneggia attended a forum regarding local government reform at the Ascott Racecourse on February 9.
This event was attended by about 400 local government delegates and was conducted by the WA Local Government Association.
The meeting passed a motion which rejects the local government reform process; seeks the State government position and process on reform; allows those local governments wishing to amalgamate to proceed; allows those local governments not wishing to amalgamate to pursue their own directions; and seeks assurance that the reform process remains voluntary.
The Shire of Wagin has been asked by the minister to form Regional transitional groups with several other local governments and, sign an agreement to undertake the preparation of a business plan within nine months.
Councils were initially told that they should do this and there would be no ‘opt out’ conditions.
However the minister has relaxed that condition and said councils had the opportunity to withdraw after they completed the business plan.
Councils have until March 26 to decide.
Council has yet to decide on its response.
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