Information for local governments to help deliver good governance to the community.
The department provides advice and support to WA's 137 local governments and two Indian Ocean Territories.
We aim to improve the capacity of local governments to respond to community demands and expectations and improve levels of accountability and legislative compliance.
The resources and information in this section are provided to assist local councils to fulfil their legislative obligations and develop best practices.
Services to improve the capacity of local governments to respond to community demands and expectations, levels of accountability and legislative compliance
Supporting and enforcing effective regulation of the local government sector within WA.
The department administers a number of acts of parliament covering a range of issues, and develops and amends acts and regulations within its responsibility.
Local Government Financial Assistance Grants, funded by the Commonwealth Government, are distributed among 137 local governments in Western Australia each year.
LG Alert
DLGSC has engaged the Town Team Movement to deliver free placemaking training for the whole local government sector in WA.
Section 6.4 of the Local Government Act 1995 sets out the obligations of local governments with regards to their annual financial reporting.
The next local government reform webinar is scheduled for Friday 22 September.
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.
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.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has released a consultation paper to encourage feedback and inform the development of new regulations to stop puppy farming in Western Australia.
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).
The Department for Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is helping local governments to support innovative approaches to placemaking through 2 new initiatives.
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.
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.
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.
New awards showcasing the best in place-based innovation by WA’s local governments are now open for nominations.
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.
Great news for WA local government, with the second tranche of amendments to implement the Model Financial Statements gazetted on 30 June 2023.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday 2 July 2023 to Sunday 9 July 2023
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.
In 2018 the State Government accepted or accepted in principle, all 310 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) applicable to Western Australia.
The department supports the local government sector in the provision of good governance and compliance by monitoring, promoting and enforcing compliance with legislation.
Providing transparency and giving local governments and the public certainty about the department's approach to managing complaints.
The MyCouncil website is a place where you can find out how local governments are raising, spending and managing their money.
An online portal to prepare and submit the 2022 Compliance Audit Return (CAR).
Investigating complaints relating to minor or serious breaches of the Local Government Act 1995 and its subsidiary legislation.
Local government contract information from the current audit firms.
The department administers the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995 (the Act).
A key strategic priority for DLGSC is to develop a supportive environment and provide local governments with the tools to build a transparent, robust, and innovative sector.
On 27 June 2019, changes to the Local Government Act 1995 were passed by Parliament which require all council members to undertake training within the first 12 months of being elected.
Being a council member is a big commitment. This induction course has been developed to assist your understanding of what your obligations and commitments will be if you are elected.
Information on how the council election system works.
Information on how rates are set.
The department monitors and provides advice to assist local governments with making their local laws.
Information and guidance materials on parking for people with disability.
The department provides executive support to both the WA Local Government Grants Commission and the Local Government Advisory Board.
A regional subsidiary is designed to be a convenient way for local governments to pool their resources and cooperate more closely with neighbouring districts.