Local Government

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Desperate
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Push for Liberal and National alliance

There is a renewed push for a formal coalition between the National and Liberal parties in the wake of historic Upper House voting reforms that have turned WA’s political landscape on its head.

Josh Zimmerman

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Sacked CEO
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CCC probe ex-council boss over ‘pay for sex claims’

The recently sacked chief executive of a rural council is under investigation by WA’s corruption watchdog over allegations he used shire money to pay for sex.

Peter Law

Ratepayer upsetManjimup Shire back-pedals on $500 staff jab promise

The Shire of Manjimup will review its promise to give up to $500 to fully vaccinated staff after the move sparked ‘community concerns’.

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Red tape madness
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Vic Park’s bid to shut down backyard yoga tent

A yogi forced to stop running yoga classes from a bell circus tent in her backyard has pleaded with her local council to be flexible

Sarah Brookes

Local concernGolden Bay petrol station approved

Development approval has been controversially granted for a petrol station within 100m of two upcoming childcare facilities in Golden Bay, despite widespread concerns about potential benzene fumes.

Kim Macdonald

‘unpleasant threats’‘I'm no bully’: Porter rival wins complaints stoush

The City of Wanneroo council has dismissed two bullying complaints against Mayor Tracey Roberts but has so far failed to publicly release the findings of a report by private investigators.

Peter Law

Common GroundNew 50-apartment Mandurah homeless facility revealed

Funding has been secured for a “sexy” 50-apartment Common Ground homeless facility in Mandurah, with the first tenants expected to move in by 2024.

Jake Dietsch

Special council meetingWA local government sacks CEO amid CCC probe

The shire president said the decision was made on the basis of information given to the council on a ‘protected basis’ by the CCC in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Briana Fiore

early payoutShire given a windfall

Councils across the South West will share more than $2.3 million in early Federal Government funding to help lessen the impacts of the pandemic.

Kasper Johansen

Cash for jabsManjimup council offers staff $500 vaccination carrot

The Shire of Manjimup is offering one off payments to its 127 full-time staff of $300-$500, depending on length of employment tenure and hours worked each week, if they get vaccinated before February.

Jenne Brammer

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Shock investigation
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Labor’s Porter rival rocked by bullying complaints

Bullying complaints have been levelled against Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts, Labor’s candidate to take on Christian Porter in the must-win seat of Pearce at the Federal election.

Peter Law

An important attitude shift for West Aussies

A whole range of physical, societal and systematic barriers continue to adversely impact a person with disability from having choice and control.

Rocky Bay

CBD violenceZempilas says he is ready to ‘fight’ for Perth’s safety

Perth’s mayor said the community was ‘absolutely fed up’ with the recent spate of violence in the city, after a brutal bashing left 25-year-old soccer star Danny Hodgson fighting for his life.

Ben O'Shea

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Law and order
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Two lawyers battle it out for right to be the mayor of Cottesloe

The Town of Cottesloe is no stranger to a legal battle but there will be a battle of a different kind with two legal minds going head to head for the council’s top job.

Victoria Rifici and Nadia Budihardjo

Park UpgradeWanneroo ready to dust off caravan park

After almost a decade, the City of Wanneroo is finally looking for someone to develop and operate tourist accommodation at the former Quinns Rocks caravan park site.

Kim Macdonald

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Fence off
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How 20cm sparked an expensive council war in Applecross

An Applecross couple wants the City of Melville to cut them some slack over a minor fence dispute after they installed a beautiful sculpture at their luxurious home.

Kristie Lim

‘Better Deal’Basil claims victory in WACA pool saga

Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has claimed victory for the City of Perth after a long drawn-out saga over a pool at the WACA — saying they’ve reached a deal that will save ratepayers around $120m.

Michael Traill

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‘Asinine’
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Dark storm swirling over South Perth council stoush

A State Administrative Tribunal ruling casts a dark cloud over the rights of councillors to raise concerns about local government finances on social media.

Paul MurrayColumnist

‘Brave and bold’Vic Park’s courageous Oz Day call can unite us all

The Town of Victoria Park’s bold move to stand up to the Commonwealth government and make its own independent decision on Australia Day is a stance that I can stand behind, writes Rangi Hirini.

Rangi HiriniIndigenous Affairs Reporter

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Sweeping new powers
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Stark warning for WA’s badly-behaving councils

Councils have put on notice with Local Government Minister John Carey warning of sweeping new powers to stamp out dysfunction across the sector.

Victoria Rifici

‘Hurtful’Vic Park council scraps ‘embarrassing’ Oz Day event

The Town of Victoria Park has cancelled its Citizen of the Year Awards on Australia Day, saying it’s culturally insensitive.

Sarah Brookes

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witch-hunt claims
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Private detective mystery at City of Canning deepens

The deputy mayor of a Perth council, embroiled in a corruption scandal, believes a private detective was hired by his own mayor as part of a political witch-hunt.

Michael Traill

Hats in the ringWalmsley puts hand up for re-election

When the public heads to the booths for local government elections this October, Waroona Shire president Mike Walmsley will challenge for his council seat again.

Luke McPherson & Kasper Johansen