The West Australian Local Government Advisory Board has explained some of the delays in the re-structure of Perth councils.

The metropolitan local government boundary reforms have been mired in controversy and discontent.

The WA Local Government Association expressed concern last week when the Local Government Minister said the Board would delay its recommendations to late August, rather than making them in early July.

WALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard said representatives of the Association had now met with the LGAB Chairman and been provided with the explanation.

LGAB chairman Mel Congerton revealed that the delay was due to three proposals that had been developed by the Board and varied significantly from the originally submitted proposals.

There is a requirement that these proposals must now be advertised for public comment. The proposals largely concern a northern section of the City of Cockburn; the Shire of Serpentine –Jarrahdale; and a western section of the City of Canning.

Mayor Pickard said the Association was pleased to have been informed.

“This process is important so that the Councils and communities affected by these proposals can comment before the Board makes its final recommendations,” he said.

“Unfortunately the need for these three proposals to be advertised for community comment will now delay all of the Board’s recommendations going forward which adds to the anxiety in the sector.”