Media Release | 13 October 2025
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Local Government
The Opposition has welcomed today’s decision by the Cook Labor Government to back down on its threat to suspend the Shire of Coolgardie, allowing the council time to address internal issues rather than facing forced amalgamation.
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Kirrilee Warr MLA, said the outcome was a relief for the Coolgardie community after months of unnecessary heavy-handedness from the Minister.
“I’m pleased the Shire of Coolgardie is finally being given the space to work through its issues – but this outcome should have been reached months ago, not after repeated attempts to intimidate the community with threats of suspension and forced boundary changes,” Ms Warr said.
The Minister has announced the Shire will be monitored for the next 12 months, instead of being suspended. Ms Warr said the delay in reaching this decision highlighted the Government’s top-down, heavy-handed approach to local government.
“To only be making a decision now, after months of posturing and threats, shows how poorly the Cook Labor Government is treating local governments,” Ms Warr said.
“This is yet another example of decisions being made to communities, not with them. The Minister should have worked constructively with the Shire from the outset, not as a last resort.”
Ms Warr also raised concerns that the Government’s so-called boundary adjustments, which would see the Shire of Coolgardie absorbed into the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, remained on the table.
“Let’s call it what it is – forced amalgamation by stealth,” Ms Warr said.
“The Cook Labor Government claims amalgamations aren’t on their agenda, but the Minister’s rhetoric proved otherwise.
“Our position is clear. Any top-down approach that strips away local decision-maming or regional representation will be met with strong opposition.”
Ms Warr said the sector continued to suffer from Labor’s neglect, with four different Local Government Ministers in just four years, and two councils – Nedlands and Port Hedland – already suspended this year.
“What this sector desperately needs is stability and respect,” Ms Warr said.
“Years of mismanagement have left local governments to drift until issues reach crisis point. It’s not good enough, and communities like Coolgardie are the ones paying the price.”
ENDS
