Coolgardie Shire under State Government inquiry

The Shire of Coolgardie has been the subject of a long-running inquiry by the State Government since 2020, looking in to issues such as organisational culture and declarations of interest.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries launched the wide-ranging probe on April 1, 2020 with scope to look in to several issues, after concerns were first raised in 2016.

The department said the scope of the inquiry includes the Shire’s tendering process, its organisational culture, declarations of interests by councillors, adherence to council policies and procedures by elected members and administration staff, as well as the Shire’s financial viability.

According to a report tabled at a 2020 council meeting, the inquiry started after a Shire tender process was referred to the State by an outside agency in late 2016.

Neither the department nor the Shire revealed further details as the inquiry is ongoing.

Shire chief executive James Trail said the drawn-out nature of the inquiry has had a “detrimental effect” on council members, who have been unable to speak publicly about it.

He felt a swift end to the process would allow the council to move forward and resolve any problems with the department.

“(Council members) were unable to address any adverse comments by other election candidates, the media, or members of the public, including electors,” Mr Trail said.

“Furthermore, finalising the review will enable the Shire to work together with the department to review any process or policy issues that may have been identified.”

The Shire’s concerns were raised with the State Government earlier this year via council submissions on the proposed Local Government Act reforms.

Mr Trail said the Shire supports a “wholesale review” of the department’s inquiry process to ensure early intervention and a swift response to identify and address process or policy issues.

He said this would require further resources for the department, which would provide greater certainty for local governments about processes, time frames, and outcomes when they are the subject of to an inquiry.

He said this position was supported by the WA Local Government Association.