KARRATHA COUNCIL PREPARES FOR GOVERNANCE CHANGES

Peter Long. Credit: Eliza Kloser

The City of Karratha is preparing for changes to its governance structure following new state government legislation.

The changes will result from the Local Government Amendment Bill which passed through parliament in April.

From October, the number of councillors will be reduced from 11 to nine and local wards will be abolished. 

Karatha Mayor Peter Long said he opposes the changes, which he believes will give locals less representation. 

“Councillors get paid about $30,000 a year so that will save about $60,000 a year,” he said.

“By the same token, there’s not going to be the same representation in the regional towns. We think that’s a problem; the state government doesn’t. They are in control of us so we have to do what they say.”

Additionally, the office of Mayor will become subject to election by members of the public, rather than selection by councillors. 

Mr Long said this will make the mayor less accountable.

“If the mayor is individually elected, he goes to the people with all sorts of policies,” he said.

If the rest of the council doesn’t agree with those policies, they don’t go through, but he doesn’t let anyone know that,” he said.

Listen to the full interview with Mayor Peter Long: