Media Release | 13 March 2026
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Local Government
Shadow Minister for Local Government Kirrilee Warr MLA has reaffirmed her strong support for genuine community consultation when it comes to the future structure of local governments across Western Australia.
Ms Warr said while discussion about the future of local government is important, any decisions must be driven by communities themselves, not the State Labor Government.
“Open and constructive conversations about how local governments can best serve their communities are always welcome,” Ms Warr said.
“Councils should have the opportunity to carefully consider their options and determine what works best for their regions.
“Local governments understand their communities far better than any State Minister ever could, and their voices must be respected.”
Ms Warr said decisions about the structure of local government must come from the ground up, not be dictated from Perth.
“Trying to socialise major changes to local government through comments on radio or brief remarks at conferences is not genuine consultation,” Ms Warr said.
“This kind of commentary only creates further anxiety across the local government sector and often leads to confusion when the issue is repeatedly suggested to be on the table one moment and dismissed the next.”
Ms Warr said the sector had been left frustrated by a continued top-down approach from the State Government.
“After four different Ministers in nine years, the sector is still waiting to see genuine and meaningful support from the State Labor Government,” she said.
“Local governments are not asking to be dictated to – they are asking to work collaboratively with the Government on reforms that strengthen the sector and better serve their communities.
“Local government exists to represent the people on the ground, and it is those communities themselves who should ultimately determine their future.”
ENDS
