By Staff Writer

Western Australian councils have had their say on the future of local government in the state.

More than 115 councils and shires have made submissions to the Department of Local Government by the September 30 deadline.

Local Government Minister John Castrilli said he was encouraged by the response and anticipated that more submissions would be received in early October.

“The response demonstrates that local government authorities in Western Australia are taking the issue of reform seriously,” Castrilli said.

“Reform is all about enhancing capacity for local governments to better service their communities.

“It is the way forward, and I commend WA local government authorities for their input at this stage of the reform process.”

The Local Government Reform Steering Committee (LGRSC) will review the submissions before preparing an interim report to the Minister by the end of October.

The Shire of Broome is one of 24 local governments that missed the submission deadline.

According to the Shire’s draft submission, debated by councillors on Thursday, the proposed reform is aimed at smaller local governments and not necessary in the Kimberly.

Councillors resolved to advise the Minister that the Shire is a “sustainable local government and due to the size of the Shire of Broome and the greater Kimberley Region, the Shire of Broome strongly opposes any form of local government amalgamations in the Kimberley”.