Local government areas of Western Australia explained

There are 137 local government areas (LGAs) in Western Australia,^[1] which comprise 27 cities, 102 shires, and 8 towns that manage their own affairs to the extent permitted by the Local Government Act 1995.^[2] The Local Government Act 1995 also makes provision for regional local governments (referred to as "regional councils", established by two or more local governments for a particular purpose.^[3]

There are three classifications of local government in Western Australia:

• City predominantly urban, plus seven significant regional centres
• Shire predominantly rural or outer suburban areas, plus the Shire of Peppermint Grove
• Town predominantly inner urban, plus the Town of Port Hedland

The Shire of Christmas Island and the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands are federal external territories and covered by the Indian Ocean Territories Administration of Laws Act, which allows the Western Australian Local Government Act to apply "on-island" as though it were a Commonwealth act. Nonetheless, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are not parts of Western Australia.

The most recent local government elections were held in 2023.

History

Land was originally granted in the Swan River Colony under regulations which allowed for land commissioners to assess a tax on private allotments to fund the construction and maintenance of "roads, paths and plantations".^[4] As the Colony began to develop, the first form of local government was established in some areas under the Towns Improvement Act of 1838.^[5] These trusts were empowered to elect ratepayers as Trustees and assess and collect a property tax for the construction of roads. Many of these town trusts, including the Perth Town Trust, experienced severe administrative and financial difficulties, and in some cases barely functioned at all. The Guildford Town Trust lasted only a couple of years before ceasing to function until it was reconstituted in 1863.^[6]

The District Roads Act and Municipal Institutions Act, both of 1871 improved matters by allowing for the establishment of Roads Boards and Municipal Corporations.^[7] Municipal Corporations had the capacity to levy property taxes, pass municipal by-laws and undertake various local regulatory services previously carried out by colonial officials and other central bodies. Corporations could also establish civic institutions and facilities with the governors' consent, including libraries and botanical gardens. Road Boards where strictly limited to the construction of roads, could not levy property taxes and depended on colonial government grants for any expenditures.

Women were permitted to be elected to Road Boards from 1911 and to Municipal Corporations from 1919.^[8] The influence of town clerk W.E. Bold and the Greater Perth Movement around this time led to the amalgamation of inner city local governments to create a greatly expanded City of Perth until 1993, when the City was broken up once again.

The first local government department was established by the state in 1949 to guide local government authorities.^[9] Following the war local governments increasingly expanded their services from property, health and local infrastructure (roads, drainage) to community and social services. This was termed the “New Order” at the time, and encompassed the development of community centres, infant health clinics and sporting facilities.

Only a few cities Fremantle, Nedlands, Perth, South Perth, and Subiaco existed prior to 1961. On 1 July 1961, all road districts became shires, and all municipalities became towns or cities. This structure has continued till the present day.

In the 1970s, the scope of local government services expanded to encompass the provision of nursing homes and other forms of aged care.

During the late 1980s, and early 1990s a bi-partisan reform process led to the Local Government Act 1995, which amongst other changes, established for the first time a clear separation of responsibility between elected councillors and local government administration. Other key changes included a significant reduction in the number of decisions requiring ministerial approval which allowed for streamlined decision-making and greater local government autonomy.

Although successive state governments have periodically promoted municipal amalgamation, only a small number of local governments have merged over the course of Western Australia's history. Historically most local governments have strongly resisted forced amalgamations^[10] and the total number of authorities has declined only marginally over the last century. The most recent state government led effort to encourage the voluntary amalgamation of 30 metropolitan local governments into 16 was abandoned by the Barnett government in 2014.^[11]

In 2017, the McGowan government initiated a review process to reform the Local Government Act 1995.^[12]

Metropolitan LGAs

The 30 metropolitan local government areas (LGAs) comprise 20 cities, 3 shires, and 7 towns.

Local government area	Council seat^[13]	Year est.	Land area^[14]	Population density (km²)	Population^[15]	class=unsortable scope="col" rowspan=2	Notes
km²	sq mi	2021	2022
		1894	560km2	180	97,650	100,737	Armadale-Kelmscott until 1979
		align=center	1901	10km2	1,605	16,505	16,601	West Guildford until 1922
		align=center	1897	35km2	2,084	71,796	72,145
		align=center	1898	40km2	1,111	43,873	44,258
		align=center	1994	22km2	1,372	29,836	30,116	Restructuring of Perth
		align=center	1907	65km2	1,534	99,351	99,510	Placed under control of a Commissioner in 2012
		align=center	1898	5km2	2,364	11,645	11,715
		align=center	1871	168km2	745	122,211	125,031	Fremantle RD until 1959
		align=center	1895	3.9km2	2,152	8,246	8,297
		align=center	1897	3.1km2	2,568	8,065	8,060
		align=center	1871	19km2	1,748	33,109	33,711
		align=center	1907	127km2	1,044	131,381	132,845
		align=center	1998	99km2	1,673	165,075	165,512	Restructuring of Wanneroo
		align=center	1897	324km2	189	60,803	61,229	Governed by a Commissioner until 1961
		align=center	1954	120km2	412	47,658	49,457
	Booragoon^[16]	align=center	1900	53km2	2,031	106,845	107,311
		align=center	1899	4.3km2	2205	9,482	9,585	Split from Peppermint Grove RD. Buckland Hill RD 1899–1908, 1930–1937; Cottesloe Beach RD 1908–1930
		align=center	1903	643km2	61	40,541	40,506	Greenmount until 1932
		align=center	1893	20km2	1,170	22,984	22,977	Claremont RD until 1932
		align=center	1895	1.1km2	1,540	1,639	1,644
		align=center	1856	14km2	2,211	29,667	30,364
		align=center	1897	258km2	558	140,595	143,560
		align=center	1894	901km2	39	33,346	34,770
		align=center	1892	19.8km2	2,277	44,982	45,106
		align=center	1871	105km2	2,252	234,380	235,845	Shire of Perth until 1971
		align=center	1896	5.6km2	3,198	17,914	17,967
		align=center	1871	1043km2	157	158,691	163,699
		align=center	1994	18km2	2,153	38,312	38,361	Restructuring of Perth
		align=center	1994	11km2	378	37,865	38,433	Restructuring of Perth
		align=center	1902	683.3km2	323	216,450	220,932

Non-metropolitan LGAs

The 107 non-metropolitan local government areas (LGAs) comprise 7 cities, 99 shires, and 1 town.

The Shire of Christmas Island and the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands are also included for comparison purposes.

Local government area	Council seat	Region	Year est.	Land area^[17]	Population	Website	class=unsortable scope="col" rowspan=2	Notes
km²	sq mi
			1998	4308.5disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: Town of Albany (1871) Shire of Albany (1871)
			1972	100817disp=table0disp=table				West Pilbara until 1987. Formerly: Shire of Ashburton (1887) Shire of Tableland (1896)
			1891	2122disp=table0disp=table				Augusta until 1926
			1871	2371disp=table0disp=table
			1903	1905disp=table0disp=table				Marradong until 1961
			1896	2827disp=table0disp=table				Upper Blackwood until 1969
			1970	1337disp=table0disp=table				Amalgamation of: Nelson RD (1887–1917), Bridgetown RD (1917–1961), Shire of Bridgetown (1961–1970); Greenbushes RD (1900–1961), Shire of Greenbushes (1961–1970)
			1906	1601disp=table0disp=table
			1918	54402disp=table0disp=table
			2007	2610disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: Shire of Broomehill (1892) Shire of Tambellup (1905)
			1913	2725disp=table0disp=table				East Avon until 1918
			1871	64disp=table0disp=table				City in 1979
			1951	1454disp=table0disp=table				Amalgamation of Municipality and RD (both 1871)
			1894	558disp=table0disp=table				Bunbury RD until 1907
			1923	2871disp=table0disp=table				Split from Irwin and Mingenew
			1911	46675disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: Town of Carnarvon (1891–1965) Lower Gascoyne RD (1887–1911) Minilya RD (1893–1911) Gascoyne–Minilya RD and Shire (1911–1965)
			1901	3981disp=table0disp=table				Upper Chapman until 1958
			1896	1220disp=table0disp=table
			1992	136disp=table0disp=table		^[18]		Federal external territory.
			1992	14disp=table0disp=table				Federal external territory.
			1951	1710disp=table0disp=table				Amalgamation of Municipality (1901) and RD (1900)
			1921	30298disp=table0disp=table				Amalgamation of Municipality (1894) and RD (1896)
			1962	4190disp=table0disp=table				Split from Carnamah
			1913	2681disp=table0disp=table
			1926	3276disp=table0disp=table
			1902	1195disp=table0disp=table
			1912	13582disp=table0disp=table				Amalgamation of Day Dawn M. (1894) and Cue RD (1895)
			1894	1862disp=table0disp=table				Split from Northam, named Meckering until 1944
			1916	7224disp=table0disp=table
			1890	6712disp=table0disp=table
			1894	526disp=table0disp=table
			1911	1860disp=table0disp=table
			1884	119731disp=table0disp=table				West Kimberley until 1983
			1970	1560disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: Shire of Donnybrook, Preston RD until 1961 (1896) Shire of Balingup, Upper Capel RD until 1905 (1899)
			1911	1863disp=table0disp=table
			1909	2539disp=table0disp=table			]
			1929	92886disp=table0disp=table
			1972	372296disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: Shire of Marble Bar (1896) Shire of Nullagine (1898)
			1895	44798disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed municipality (1895–1908)
			1964	6488disp=table0disp=table
			1893	3208disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed municipality (1893–1903)
			1912	4265disp=table0disp=table
			1927	1835disp=table0disp=table
			2011	9909disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: City of Geraldton (1871–2007) Shire of Greenough (1951–2007) Shire of Mullewa (1911–2011)
			1887	133046disp=table0disp=table				Kimberley Goldfields until 1915
			1894	1728disp=table0disp=table
			1871	2369disp=table0disp=table
			1982	6511disp=table0disp=table				Split from Gnowangerup
			1989	95500disp=table0disp=table				Formerly: Town of Kalgoorlie (1897–1989) Shire of Boulder (1969–1989)
			1887	15238disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed Roebourne and Cossack municipalities in 1910, was known as Shire of Roebourne until 2014
			1892	1518disp=table0disp=table
			1908	1915disp=table0disp=table
			1922	5625disp=table0disp=table				Nyabing–Pingrup 1955–1972
			1871	2931disp=table0disp=table
			1925	7441disp=table0disp=table
			1927	2832disp=table0disp=table
			1918	4719disp=table0disp=table				Roe until 1926
			1922	11886disp=table0disp=table
			1906	179994disp=table0disp=table				Mount Margaret until 1950, absorbed Mount Morgans M (1900–1913)
			1912	31915disp=table0disp=table
			1949	175disp=table0disp=table				City in 1990
			1908	7030disp=table0disp=table				Warren until 1925
			1909	100189disp=table0disp=table
			1912	124115disp=table0disp=table
			1921	3294disp=table0disp=table
			1901	1935disp=table0disp=table				Upper Irwin until 1919
			1908	3763disp=table0disp=table				Split from Victoria Plains
			1928	3511disp=table0disp=table				Split from Perenjori–Morawa RD
			1901	13858disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed municipality (1896–1901)
			1923	10185disp=table0disp=table
			1933	3427disp=table0disp=table
			1875	45046disp=table0disp=table
			1887	1706disp=table0disp=table
			1890	3054disp=table0disp=table				Lower Blackwood until 1925
			1925	3809disp=table0disp=table
			1892	1631disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed Town of Narrogin (1906–2016)
			1993	159816disp=table0disp=table
			1871	1431disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed Town of Northam (1879–2007)
			1871	12544disp=table0disp=table				Mines RD until 1887
			1921	1166disp=table0disp=table
			1916	8301disp=table0disp=table				Perenjori–Morawa until 1928
			1891	1295disp=table0disp=table				Moorumbine until 1913
			1871	4877disp=table0disp=table
			1891	18417disp=table0disp=table				Pilbara until 1904. Town 1989
			1913	2017disp=table0disp=table				Avon until 1922
			1900	9842disp=table0disp=table				Phillips River until 1961
			1897	32605disp=table0disp=table				Black Range until 1961
			1904	24201disp=table0disp=table
			1948	1102disp=table0disp=table				Split from Cunderdin
			1928	2657disp=table0disp=table
			1912	1692disp=table0disp=table				Amalgamation of Newcastle M (1877) and Toodyay RD (1871)
			1911	1651disp=table0disp=table
			1887	57810disp=table0disp=table
			1871	2551disp=table0disp=table
			1887	1946disp=table0disp=table				Arthur until 1905. Absorbed municipality (1906–1961)
			1874	1904disp=table0disp=table
			1898	832disp=table0disp=table				Drakesbrook until 1961
			1896	2832disp=table0disp=table
			1916	3319disp=table0disp=table
			1909	2041disp=table0disp=table
			1871	2305disp=table0disp=table
			1909	181297disp=table0disp=table
			1887	3365disp=table0disp=table				Melbourne until 1926
			1906	1129disp=table0disp=table
			1920	1595disp=table0disp=table
			1887	112066disp=table0disp=table				East Kimberley until 1896, Wyndham until 1961
			1907	27950disp=table0disp=table				Upper Murchison until 1912
			1891	30429disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed Southern Cross M (1892–1918)
			1871	2132disp=table0disp=table				Absorbed Town of York (1871–1965)

Regional councils

Currently, Western Australia has ten regional councils. Each regional council comprises two or more local government areas (LGAs).

Metropolitan regional councils

• Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council – 6 LGAs (4 cities, 1 shire, and 1 town)^[19]
  • City of Bayswater
  • City of Belmont
  • City of Kalamunda
  • City of Swan
  • Shire of Mundaring
  • Town of Bassendean
• Mindarie Regional Council – 7 LGAs (5 cities and 2 towns)^[20]
  • City of Joondalup
  • City of Perth
  • City of Stirling
  • City of Vincent
  • City of Wanneroo
  • Town of Cambridge
  • Town of Victoria Park
• Rivers Regional Council – 6 LGAs (4 cities and 2 shires)^[21]
  • City of Armadale
  • City of Gosnells
  • City of Mandurah
  • City of South Perth
  • Shire of Murray
  • Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale
• Southern Metropolitan Regional Council – 5 LGAs (4 cities and 1 town)^[22]
  • City of Cockburn
  • City of Fremantle
  • City of Kwinana
  • City of Melville
  • Town of East Fremantle
• Tamala Park Regional Council – 7 LGAs (5 cities and 2 towns)^[23]
  • City of Joondalup
  • City of Perth
  • City of Stirling
  • City of Vincent
  • City of Wanneroo
  • Town of Cambridge
  • Town of Victoria Park
• Western Metropolitan Regional Council – 5 LGAs (1 city, 1 shire, and 3 towns)^[24]
  • City of Subiaco
  • Shire of Peppermint Grove
  • Town of Claremont
  • Town of Cottesloe
  • Town of Mosman Park

Non-metropolitan regional councils

• Bunbury Harvey Regional Council – 2 LGAs (1 city and 1 shire)^[25]
  • City of Bunbury
  • Shire of Harvey
• Murchison Regional Vermin Council – 5 LGAs (5 shires)^[26]
  • Shire of Cue
  • Shire of Meekatharra
  • Shire of Mount Magnet
  • Shire of Sandstone
  • Shire of Yalgoo
• Pilbara Regional Council – 4 LGAs (1 city, 2 shires, and 1 town)^[27]
  • City of Karratha
  • Shire of Ashburton
  • Shire of East Pilbara
  • Town of Port Hedland
• Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils – 5 LGAs (5 shires)^[28]
  • Shire of Boyup Brook
  • Shire of Bridgetown–Greenbushes
  • Shire of Donnybrook–Balingup
  • Shire of Manjimup
  • Shire of Nannup

Notes and References

1. Web site: An introduction to local government. Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Government of Western Australia. 2022-06-16. 2022-12-15.
2. Web site: Local Government Act 1995 . 26 July 2011 .
3. Refer Part 3 Division 4 of the Web site: Local Government Act 1995 . 26 July 2011 .
4. Book: Stannage, C.T.. The people of Perth: A social history of Western Australia's capital city. Perth City Council. 1979. 0909994862. Perth. 55.
5. - Berry, Christopher Local Government pp.540-542. the act enabled the establishment of Town Trusts.
6. Johns. J. R. H.. 1949. The Development of Local Government in Western Australia. The Australian Journal of Public Administration. 172–179.
7. https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_10595_homepage.html District Roads Act 1871.
8. Web site: History. 7 October 2020. Western Australia Local Government Association.
9. Committee for Perth (September 2009) ‘Successful’ Metropolitan Local Government Models: Potential Lessons for Perth
10. https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/1320885841_Consolidation_Final_Report_Vol_1_web.pdf Consolidation in Local Government: A Fresh Look
11. News: Foster. Brendan. Council mergers scrapped after ratepayer polls. 8 February 2015. WA Today. Riddell. Alex.
12. Web site: 25 June 2019. Local Government Act Review. Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
13. Web site: Local Government contacts. Department of Health. 26 July 2009.
14. Web site: 3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018 . Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
15. Web site: 2023-08-31 . Regional population, 2021-22 financial year Australian Bureau of Statistics . 2024-06-21 . www.abs.gov.au . en.
16. https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/contact-us Contact Us – City of Melville
17. Web site: 3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018 . Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
18. Web site: ERP by SA2 and above (ASGS 2016), 2001 onwards . ABS.Stat . . 7 December 2019 . 27 March 2019.
19. Web site: Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
20. Web site: Mindarie Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
21. Web site: Rivers Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
22. Web site: Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
23. Web site: Tamala Park Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
24. Web site: Western Metropolitan Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
25. Web site: Bunbury Harvey Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
26. Web site: Murchison Regional Vermin Council. 3 August 2017.
27. Web site: Pilbara Regional Council. 19 April 2016.
28. Web site: Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils . 2022-09-20.