Dandaragan Shire, which indicated it would consider looking into collaboration with the Shires of Coorow and Carnamah, has been left wondering where it stands with Coorow and Carnamah likely to be amalgamated.

Meanwhile, Dalwallinu shire president, Robert Nixon, has maintained that his shire remains strongly opposed to any amalgamation.

“We have consulted our community. They are strongly opposed to any suggestion that the Shire should amalgamate with another shire.

“Cost savings have not been identified and it has not been demonstrated that the initial cost of amalgamation could ever be recovered.

“The State Government’s amalgamation program simply does not make sense. It has little to do with improving the quality of local government. It is a program that could destroy local government, if shires allow themselves to be amalgamated into large, bureaucratic, regional governments”

WA Local Government Association president Cr Bill Mitchell said councils across the State were now demanding clarification on the process following the most recent shift in the State Government’s approach.

In response to the concerns of WA Local Governments, WALGA will run a State-wide Reform Forum early next month at which Local Government Minister John Castrilli will speak on the latest stage of the process.

More than 300 representatives of WA Councils are expected to attend the day forum, to be held at the Ascot race course on Tuesday, February 9.

Cr Mitchell said many councils were confused and angry after making their reform submissions last September when advised by the Minister of a new “transition process” which seems to have little or no regard for their submissions.

Under that process, nine councils will amalgamate into three new entities. Some 65 councils have been directed to form Regional Transition Groups and to amalgamate by 2013, while others were assigned Regional Collaborative Groups to share resources but not amalgamate.