Two proposals for council mergers in Western Australia have gone to the vote, with very different outcomes.

 

Electors in the City of Geraldton-Greenough and the Shire of Mullewa have endorsed the amalgamation of their councils, while those in  the Shire of Perenjori voted against the amalgamation of the shires of Perenjori, Mingenew, Morawa and Three Springs.

 

Local Government Minister John Castrilli said the amalgamation of the City of Geraldton-Greenough and the Shire of Mullewa would enable local governments to deliver a higher level and more diverse range of services.

 

“In particular, the Mullewa community will gain from being a part of a bigger local government body, financially strong and able to address challenges emerging in the future.”

 

However, Mr Castrilli was disappointed that the Perenjori, Mingenew, Morawa and Three Springs communities would miss out on cost savings and a range of new services the merged group had indicated it would deliver, including economic development, tourism, emergency services management and promotion.