Local Government



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Connecting Local Governments - Local Government Models of Governance
Connecting Local Governments
Connecting Local Governments
Local Government Models of Governance
There are several governance models that local governments can establish with a view to increasing efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

Some Advantages of Structural Reform and Resource Sharing
  • Cost savings through efficiency gains
  • Improvements in the long term viability of local government
  • Improved buying power through shared purchasing arrangements and
  • Increased capacity to afford and access professional and specialist staff.

Structural Reform and Resource Sharing
There are several governance models that local governments can use to put structures in place to share resources with a view to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

Voluntary Amalgamation
Voluntary amalgamation involves the creation of one new local government from two or more existing local governments. Amalgamation includes the integration of organisation structures, facilities management, service provision and of policies and regulations across the combined areas.

The Department has published a brochure Implementing Amalgamation – A handbook for local governments to assist local governments considering amalgamation.
Implementing AmalgamationPDF 251.09Kb

Regional Local Governments
The establishment of regional local governments, often called regional councils, are governed by the Local Government Act 1995.  Member local governments and their boundaries retain their elected members.

The South East Metropolitan Regional Council (SEMRC) has published an article highlighting substantial savings for member councilsPDF 17.09Kb

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) Corporate BochurePDF 878.35Kb by permission of EMRC.

Voluntary Resource Sharing Models
Voluntary arrangements are generally between councils, irrespective of their distance apart, and are aimed at reducing costs and to also improve the level of service delivery. The sharing of employees and provision of services occurs in such arrangements.

Advantages are:

  • Administration and bureaucracy is minimal and flexibility is high;
  • Costs of entering or terminating agreements is minimised;
  • The independence of individual councils is not compromised.
Resource Sharing – Service Level Agreements
This model is similar to the voluntary model, however the arrangement is formalised through an agreement. Agreements can be entered into with another local government or a private sector organisation. Sample Memorandum of UnderstandingPDF 81.00Kb(permission of City of Belmont)

With arrangements formalised, the local government providing the service can have greater confidence in planning its work program and making decisions on resourcing issues.

The City of Canning has some good examplesPDF 14.90Kb in resource sharing.

Voluntary Regional Organisations of Councils
VROCs are voluntary groups of councils and usually consist of several geographically adjacent local governments. They are financed by a fee from each member council, separately constituted, and governed by a board consisting of members from each constituent council.

There are a number of VROCs operating in Western Australia. They have been established to encourage and promote cooperation amongst local governments in a region, facilitate the exchange of information about common concerns and solutions and to encourage resource sharing. Some of the more prominent VROCs are in the North Eastern Wheatbelt and the Avon.

Key roles they perform are:
  • Intermunicipal cooperation
  • Regional planning and development
  • Elected member and employee development
  • Regional coordination of submissions and tendering
  • Development of common policy positions and
  • Enhance regional lobbying with state and Commonwealth Governments.
Regional Centre Model
With this scenario, a regional centre becomes the hub for providing services such as HR, financial management, while the smaller centres retain governance and independence.

See also...

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