City of Nedlands shelves western suburbs council merger talks to focus on its own residents and fix finances

Résumé détaillé

Ongoing debates over merging local governments in the western suburbs have hit a snag after one key player opted out.

Ongoing debates over merging local governments in the western suburbs have hit a snag after one key player opted out.

The City of Nedlands released a statement last week stating it would not consider council amalgamations until its finances improved.

Mayor Leonie Browner said she understood the potential benefits of merging local governments, but Nedlands would not focus on it for at least the next two years.

“Elected members recently discussed council amalgamations and concluded that for now we must continue to focus on the immediate practical needs of our residents, rather than longer-term issues such as amalgamations,” she said.

“Our goal is to rebuild and strengthen the whole organisation to better serve our community.”

The City of Nedlands experienced significant financial strain and dysfunction after five councillors resigned last July.

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley then dissolved the council and replaced all elected members with commissioners.

Ms Browner said the city was already working with nearby councils to share resources and services, and would “remain open” to the debate for amalgamating in future.

Claremont mayor Peter Telford has been a vocal advocate for merging western suburbs councils, having already met WALGA and Ms Beazley to discuss potential mergers and potentially organise a business case study.

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