I get the feeling they're trying to coordinate and clear off ongoing troublesome council issues in the lead up for a fresh start. Hannah Beazley just got some new powers for use with LGA's a month or so ago, so thats probably made it easier to take action. I haven't had time to go through a summary of those new laws yet.

The more cynical view i have is they're beginning a very cautious campaign for council mergers. No one from the government has said that though. In fact i think it was Beazley who specifically denied this. But the Mayor of Bunbury had let it be known its on his mind with his surrounding councils, and these ongoing problems aren't a good look, so maybe theres a cautious feeling of pikitical sands shifting. I'd be mighty surprised if thats the community sentiment though.

I've actually been trying to find online the rational the Barnett Government put to WA for the council mergers, but all i've been able to find are some vague statements about operational and cost efficiencies. The only real analysis i can find is from Greenleft, they did a pretty good article, but i know people would perceive them of having a bias, so i've been looking for other sources to bolster what they say. Government News has been another interesting source, but haven't found anything more specific than the vague statements of benefits, but surely the Barnett Government must have put out a more detailed policy