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Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumDeputy Lord Mayor issues warning to election candidates

City of Perth election candidates have been warned not to use council question time for grandstanding as the battle for seats in WA’s capital city heats up.

Sophie Gannon & Michael Palmer

Christine Hamilton-Prime and her husband, Dr Ganesa Raja.

Local GovernmentCommentsYoungest-ever councillor’s bid to become first female mayor

A councillor has embarked on a campaign to be the first woman to become the mayor of one of Perth’s biggest councils.

Justin Bianchini

The City of Canning has set its rates rise for 2025-26.

Local GovernmentPremiumREVEALED: Council pushing through highest rate rise in Perth

The hike equates to about $84 more that households will pay in 2025-26.

Matt Zis

Joondalup mayor Albert Jacob will not run again for the top job.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Local governmentVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Joondalup mayor to bow out of politics after nearly 20 years

Albert Jacob has decided not to run for a third mayoral term in October, paving the way for ex-Federal Liberal Ian Goodenough to put his hand up for the top job.

Justin Bianchini

Councils have pulled their membership of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumSecrecy surrounds cities’ abandonment of regional council

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council’s membership has dropped from six councils to two but the reasons behind the abandonment have been kept behind closed doors.

Michael Palmer

The City of Rockingham will increase rates by 3.5 per cent.

Rockingham ratesModest rate rise leaves Rockingham with budget shortfall

The City of Rockingham council has gone against a proposal to increase rates by 3.9 per cent next financial year and voted for a more modest increase of 3.5 per cent. 

Rachel Fenner

Minister for Local Government, Disability Services, Youth, Volunteering and the Gascoyne region Hannah Beazley.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Local GovernmentCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Beazley looks to overhaul election cycle amid voter fatigue

Admitting her patience is wearing ‘thin’ with obstinate and overly political local governments, the second term MP and minister has opened up to The West about a plague of issues in the sector. 

Dylan Caporn

Shire of Plantagenet stalwart Ken Clements received a King’s Birthday Honour.

OAMPremiumMt Barker OAM modest about 39yrs of service

Despite his almost four decades of public and volunteer service to the Mt Barker community, Ken Clements admitted he was “very surprised” to see his name among the 413 esteemed Australians receiving an OAM.

Melissa Sheil

The City of Joondalup is reviewing its perks for council members.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Local GovernmentCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Alcohol, dining perks for elected members to be reviewed

It comes in the wake of an Auditor-General report that found questionable spending by other councils on alcohol and dining perks.

Liam Murphy

Cottesloe residents will soon have their say on the divisive Australia Day date debate as the council considers whether to continue holding its annual citizenship ceremony on January 26.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumCottesloe residents get say on Australia Day date debate

Locals will be given a choice of three options: A) On the nearest Saturday to 26 January, B) On 26 January, or C) No preference. 

Harriet Flinn

Early concept images of the proposed coastal boardwalk released by the City of Stirling.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumCity refuses to release $500k boardwalk documents

A community group has referred a Freedom of Information dispute to the WA Information Commissioner after the City of Stirling declined to release some internal documents.

Liam Murphy

City of Joondalup CEO James Pearson has told staff he will not be seeking reappointment when his contract ends next March.

Local governmentCommentsPremiumCEO to depart after council decides to advertise position

The council plans to start the search for a new chief executive after the 2025 local government elections in October.

Liam Murphy

State Budget funding means the airport master plan can be completed by March-April next year.

AIRPORT UPGRADESPremiumMayor thrilled by $11.5m for “big-ticket” airport upgrades

Albany’s mayor says the $11.5 million dedicated to finishing the upgrades of the Great Southern’s largest airport, announced in last week’s State Budget, means the facility can be completed in early 2026.

Melissa Sheil

Housing and Works Minister John Carey.

Commercial PropertyCommentsPremiumA kick up the Rs for Perth’s home density codes

A review to consider higher heights limits in some areas as the State Government seeks to promote greater density in key locations

Kim Macdonald

City of Stirling officers believe the proposed design does not fit in the area.

Final Call MadeHighly contentious social housing approved for Inglewood

It comes despite local opposition including from the City of Stirling.

Sophie Gannon

The City of Stirling has had e-scooters available for public hire in the city since early 2022.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Local GovernmentComments
The West Australian exclusive
The Perth council that won’t be suspending e-scooters

Despite the cities of Perth and Vincent suspending their e-scooter hire schemes indefinitely following a fatal incident in the Perth CBD, this council won’t be following suit.

Liam Murphy

The unit design included in the Fleetwood Australia tender document.

HOUSING UNITS APPROVEDNarrogin approves $1.5m contract

A million-dollar contract to build 18 one-bedroom units at the Narrogin Caravan Park has been approved to provide essential worker accommodation for upcoming major projects

Hannah Whitehead

The Regional Development Assessment Panel approved the battery energy storage system application set to be built on Narrogin Valley Road on May 21. South Energy

E-BATTERY APPROVEDPremiumNarrogin’s Battery Energy Storage System project approved

The first of six renewable energy industries has been approved in Narrogin, starting the $17 billion combined project investment that will transform the Wheatbelt shire into a renewable energy hub

Hannah Whitehead

A proposed children's hospice in Swanbourne, within the City of Nedlands

WA NEWSCommentsPremiumCity of Nedlands responds to children's hospice NIMBY claim

The City of Nedlands has defended its handling of the parkland surrounding the planned Swanbourne children’s hospice after it emerged WA’s Planning Minister is planning to excise the land from its control.

Oliver Lane

A City of Albany staff member accidentally sent out a phishing email on Friday.

Cyber securityPhishing email accidentally sent by City of Albany staff

The City of Albany has urged people to be cautious when opening “unexpected” emails from a city staff address after a phishing email asking for personal information was sent out on Friday.

Melissa Sheil

The City of Nedlands has changed how many people are needed at its committee meetings.

Local GovernmentCommentsNew rules for Nedlands council committee meetings

Nedlands council has reduced the amount of people needed to be present during committee meetings after past meetings were abandoned over heated walk-outs and councillor no-shows.

Harriet Flinn

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has warned councils about their spending.

Local governmentCommentsPremiumDo not treat ratepayers’ money as ‘personal expense account’

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley says she expects councils to follow recommendations from the Auditor-General on how to use ratepayers’ money.

Michael Palmer

City of Perth Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds has confirmed the suspension of rental e-scooters from midday today ‘until further notice’.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumE-scooters banned from Perth CBD after tragic death

City of Perth Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds has confirmed the suspension of rental e-scooters from midday today ‘until further notice’.

Jessica Evensen

Champagne and oysters were among local government expenditure.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumAudit exposes councils’ extravagant dinners, luxury spending

A report on council spending has exposed some of the questionable items on which ratepayers’ hard-earned cash is being splashed on.

Michael Palmer