West Australian councils are celebrating the success of a long campaign for a new regional subsidiaries model.

They say reforms introduced into State Parliament this week as part of the Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill will reduce bureaucracy by allowing two or more Local Governments to share services.

WALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard encouraged the speedy passage of the Bill through State Parliament.

“There was widespread Local Government support for a regional subsidiaries model long before it was first introduced into State Parliament in 2012,” Mayor Pickard said.

“The sector is grateful to The National Party for its sustained efforts to progress the legislation since then.

“The proposed amendments remove many of the existing constraints to Local Governments working together to reduce red tape and improve efficiency in vital areas such as planning approval processes, road maintenance and administrative systems.”

The introduction of the Local Government Amendment Bill by Local Government Minister Tony Simpson is the third time such legislation has been before State Parliament since 2012.

In June this year, Moore MLA Shane Love introduced the Local Government Amendment (Regional Subsidiaries) Bill, which was similar to a Bill introduced by then Local Government Minister John Castrilli in 2012.

Mayor Pickard said that while the long awaited changes are welcome, Local Governments would need to be given sufficient opportunity to provide input into the implementation process.

“Local Governments have a strong customer service focus and are constantly looking at ways to enhance the delivery of services to the community,” Mayor Pickard said.

“Now that these improvements are imminent, it is vital that the sector has input into how the new regulations are designed and worded to ensure they are able to be implemented effectively.

“The sector has a vested interest in ensuring the new legislation achieves its objectives and is well positioned to provide feedback and advice to the State Government about the regulations.”