News

Latest news from the department.

Featured news

A stylised banner with an image of an outdoor cinema with the words, 'Local government elections 2023. Speak for those who can't. Stand for your local council. Nominations open 31 August 2023.'

Make your voice heard by becoming a local government councillor

Aug 9, 2023
Members of the Western Australian community are being urged to consider nominating for the upcoming local government elections to be able to influence the decisions being made that potentially impact the lives of thousands of residents.

Newsletters

Subscribe to receive newsletters to your email.

All news

A local Christmas pagent with community members in a crowd

Placemaking webinar

LG Alert

DLGSC has engaged the Town Team Movement to deliver free placemaking training for the whole local government sector in WA.

Submission of annual financial statements to the auditor

LG Alert

Section 6.4 of the Local Government Act 1995 sets out the obligations of local governments with regards to their annual financial reporting.
Place Innovation Awards branded graphic

First ever Place Innovation Awards recognise our local communities and spaces

Our regional and metropolitan local governments have been recognised for their innovative solutions to build community connections, activate local spaces and foster greater collaboration.
A presenter standing at a lecturn engaging an audience

Local government reform webinar 6

LG Alert

The next local government reform webinar is scheduled for Friday 22 September.
Local Futures branded promotional image

Visit us at the WALGA Local Futures Convention

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries will have a booth at this year’s WA Local Government Association’s (WALGA) Local Futures Convention.
3 people standing together in a park

Support local democracy by voting in local government elections

A call out from the State Government today is urging ratepayers and residents to recognise the importance of local democracy by making voting a priority at the upcoming local government elections.
Graphic showing a person in a library with the words, 'Your local library can't have a say. But you can.'

Vote for them campaign

Vote for the important things in your community at the local government elections on 21 October.
A cardboard box with ballot papers

No change to local government election date

LG Alert

The Western Australian Electoral Commission has confirmed that the Voice to Parliament referendum on 14 October 2023 will not affect the date of local government elections.
Kalgoorlie town hall

Updated guidance materials for local government

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has updated a number of guidelines and manuals for local government, as part of its ongoing support for the sector.
A stylised banner with an image of an outdoor cinema with the words, 'Local government elections 2023. Speak for those who can't. Stand for your local council. Nominations open 31 August 2023.'

Make your voice heard by becoming a local government councillor

Members of the Western Australian community are being urged to consider nominating for the upcoming local government elections to be able to influence the decisions being made that potentially impact the lives of thousands of residents.
High angle view of currency and calculator on table - stock photo

Local government annual returns due 31 August

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries reminds all council members and designated employees of their obligations to provide an annual return by Thursday 31 August under the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act).
Local street

Place Innovation Awards and placemaking training webinar

LG Alert

The Department for Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is helping local governments to support innovative approaches to placemaking through 2 new initiatives.
Close up of a calculator and financial information on a page

Fair Value Measurement of Non-Financial Assets for local governments

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is aware that there are differences in approach in assessing the fair value of assets, where required, with land identified as the asset class most affected.
A woman standing up in an audience speaking into a microphone

Election Candidate Information Briefing Webinar

LG Alert

The webinar will include a number of presenters and will cover a range of topics, with the aim of preparing successful election candidates for life as an elected member.

Youth Candidate Forums

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is working to improve candidate diversity and held a forum targeting culturally and linguistically diverse communities last month.

Minister for Local Government’s Place Innovation Awards

LG Alert

New awards showcasing the best in place-based innovation by WA’s local governments are now open for nominations.
Mature man working at home. He has a laptop and is writing on a document at the table.

Local government reform webinar 5

LG Alert

The next edition of the popular local government reform webinars is scheduled for 3 August and will feature an introduction from the new Minister for Local Government, David Michael.
A blue gradient with texture with the words, 'Minister for Local Government Place Innovation Awards'

New awards showcase the best in local government innovation

Local governments are being encouraged to nominate for new awards celebrating the most innovative, collaborative approaches to placemaking across the state.
A stylised banner with an image of an outdoor cinema with the words, 'Local government elections 2023. Speak for those who can't. Stand for your local council. Nominations open 31 August 2023.'

Community awareness drive for local government election changes

A community awareness campaign is underway to inform voters about upcoming changes that will be in effect for local government elections in October.
An external image of a historic town hall

Reform toolkit

LG Alert

There are several electoral reforms that will be in place for the local government elections in October and it is essential that the community is aware of these changes.
A person casting their vote

Priority regulation amendments for local government elections and final set of orders for council representation changes

LG Alert

The State Government has introduced priority regulation amendments for local government elections and made the final set of orders for council representation changes for the implementation reforms ahead of the 2023 elections.

Incorrect use of concessions on rates bills

LG Alert

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has become aware that some local governments may be granting ‘blanket concessions’ to ratepayers under their discretionary concession powers.
Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags

Flying of flags: NAIDOC Week 2023

LG Alert

Sunday 2 July 2023 to Sunday 9 July 2023
Person writing

Populations estimates order and first set of orders for council representation changes

LG Alert

In the recent Government Gazette the population estimates order and the first set of orders for constitutional and representation changes to councils were made under the Local Government Act 1995, ahead of the upcoming 2023 ordinary local government elections.

Bushfire Planning and Design Practitioners

Under State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (SPP 3.7), a person seeking to build or develop in a designated bushfire prone area is required to undertake certain bushfire risk management activities as part of the planning and building process.
A list of goals mentioned in the article made to look like a AFL game summary listing goals and times

The DLGSC Local Government Team has been kicking goals with some majors on the board

It has been a busy year already for the DLGSC Local Government Team.

Inter-library loans

LG Alert

From 1 July 2023 there will be changes to the delivery of the inter-library loans service in Western Australia.
Staff member using office equipment

Local government financial reporting: non-accredited valuation contractors

LG Alert

Local governments have obligations to provide valuations for financial reporting purposes.
Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags

Flying of Flags: National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week

LG Alert

National Sorry Day, 26 May 2023 and National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June 2023
A cheerful female doctor sits at a desk in her office and takes notes while meeting with an unidentifiable patient.

Reducing red tape to help regions attract and retain GPs and dentists

Changes to Western Australian laws regulating the recruitment of general practitioners (GPs) and dentists by local governments will reduce red tape, easing the burden on many regional local governments trying to ensure their communities have the medical services they need.
2.	An old run-down shed with a superimposed ‘we’re leasing/leased’ sign. The words, “Is this fair?” is superimposed over the image.

Changing the rules regulating owners and occupiers rolls

Who can vote or be a candidate.
Becoming an elected Council member. A group of people sitting in a meeting room.

Becoming an Elected Council Member Forum

LG Alert

A free forum for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds considering standing for local council.
A history sepia toned image with a woman holding a lottery ticket in front of a tumbling lottery machine.

4.71% and a winner? Can this be true?

Did you know that under the current system of local government voting, some winning candidates have attracted less than 5% of the vote?
Australian flag

Flying of flags: ANZAC Day

LG Alert

ANZAC Day is a day of special significance to all Australians, particularly for our serving military personnel and returned veterans.
A person casting their vote

Local government reform webinar 2

LG Alert

The first tranche of reforms to the Local Government Act 1995 is progressing through Parliament.
A crowd in Forrest Place watching a large puppet being moved.

Round 3 recipients announced for State Government’s CBD revitalisation grants

The State Government’s investment in revitalising the Perth CBD and Northbridge continues with a further 15 eligible businesses, property owners and not-for-profits sharing nearly $1 million of funding from the Perth CBD Revitalisation Grant Program.
Page reviewed 03 May 2023