Local Government Advisory Board
The Local Government Advisory Board (Board) is a statutory body established under the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) to advise the Minister for Local Government (the Minister) on local government constitutional matters.
Its major function is to assess proposals to change local government boundaries and their systems of representation and make recommendations to the Minister.
The Advisory Board consists of 5 members appointed by the Minister.
Members are required to be persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have knowledge and experience relevant to local government.
The Minister designates:
- a member to be the chairperson of the Advisory Board; and
- another members to be deputy chairperson of the Advisory Board.
There is also a deputy for each of the positions other than the Chairperson. A person can only be appointed as a deputy for a member if they are eligible to be appointed to the office of that member.
The Board receives administrative support from LGIRS.
Local Government Advisory Board members (as of April 2026)
Member, Mr Anthony Vuleta — City of Kalamunda, Chief Executive Officer
Term ends 31 August 2026
Member, Cr Russ Fishwick — City of Joondalup, Councillor
Term ends 31 August 2026
Member, Cr Caroline Knight — City of Mandurah, Councillor
Term ends 31 August 2027
Deputy to Deputy Chairperson, Vacant
Term ends 31 August 2026
Deputy to Anthony Vuleta, Ms Joanne Abbiss — City of Armadale, Chief Executive Officer
Term ends 31 August 2026
Deputy to Russ Fishwick, Ms Alison Xamon — City of Vincent, Mayor
Term ends 31 August 2027
Deputy to Caroline Knight, Cr Jannah Stratford — Shire of Koorda, President
Term ends 31 August 2027
Wards and representation
Under Schedule 2.2 of the Act, local governments with wards must conduct regular reviews of ward boundaries of representation in consultation with their communities.
The board considers the outcome of these reviews and ensures that the local governments have complied with the Act.
The Board must recommend to the Minister any proposal that, in its opinion, correctly takes account of the criteria in the documents below. The Minister may accept or reject the board's recommendation but cannot change it.
The majority of ward and representation reviews will not be considered as one of a minor nature. Most proposals will necessitate a six-week consultation period. If you are uncertain, it is advisable to contact the Board staff to discuss your specific situation beforehand.
- Ward and or representation review — template submission to Advisory Board (DOCX) (31 KB)
- Reviewing Ward Boundaries and Representation - Overview (DOCX) (303 KB)
- A Guide for Local Governments: How to conduct a review of wards and representation for local governments with and without a ward system (PDF) (810 KB)
- Community submission about changes to names, wards and representation form (DOCX) (39 KB)
District boundaries
Under Schedule 2.1 of the Act, proposals to change local government district boundaries can be submitted to the board by the Minister, local governments or electors of an affected local government.
Where the board decides that a proposed district boundary change is not minor, it must conduct formal inquiries giving affected local governments and electors six weeks to make submissions.
The board must consider any submissions received and take specific factors into consideration. When its assessment is complete, the board submits a report to the Minister for Local Government with a recommendation. This may recommend that the proposal be accepted or rejected. The minister may accept or reject the board’s recommendation but cannot change it.
LGAB Guiding Principles (DOCX) (31 KB)
Making a submission for a district boundary change (DOCX) (38 KB)
Annual reports
Contact
Telephone 61 8 6552 1403
Email advisoryboard@lgirs.wa.gov.au
WA Local Government Grants Commission
The WA Local Government Grants Commission (Commission) is a statutory body established under the Local Government Grants Act 1978.
Its principal function is to make recommendations to the Minister for Local Government on the allocation of Commonwealth financial assistance grants to WA's 137 local governments and the two Indian Ocean Territories.
The Commission has 5 members appointed by the Governor:
- Chairperson nominated by the Minister
- Deputy Chairperson, an officer of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) nominated by the Director General and approved by the Minister
- 1 Metropolitan Member selected by the Minister from a panel of names submitted by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) to represent local governments in the metropolitan area
- 1 Country Urban Member selected by the Minister from a panel of names submitted by WALGA to represent local government cities or towns outside the metropolitan area
- 1 Country Rural Member selected by the Minister from a panel of names submitted by WALGA to represent local government shires outside the metropolitan area.
The Governor may also appoint a person as the deputy of a member other than the Chairperson.
The Commission receives administrative support from LGIRS.
WA Local Government Grants Commission (as at June 2026)
Chairperson, Dr Wendy Giles — City of Bunbury, former councillor
Nominated by Minister
Term ends 31 August 2027
Deputy Chairperson, Vacant
Nominated by the LGIRS Director General and approved by the Minister
Metropolitan Member, Vacant
Nominated by WALGA
Country Urban Member, Vacant
Nominated by WALGA
Country Rural Member, Ms Melinda Prinsloo — Shire of Chittering, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2027
Deputy to the Deputy Chair, Vacant
Nominated by the LGIRS Director General and approved by the Minister
Deputy Metropolitan Member, Vacant
Nominated by WALGA
Deputy Country Urban Member, Ms Virginia Miltrup — City of Karratha, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2026
Deputy Country Rural Member, Cr Christopher Mitchell — Shire of Broome, President
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2027
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