Historical Evolution of Local Government Amalgamation in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia
Year: 2010
Type: report
Abstract: Australian local government has been forced in recent decades to engage in 'amalgamation wars'. State governments have been the primary initiators for reducing numbers of local authorities, usually on the premise that there were too many authorities. States have pursued amalgamations often on the pretext of the perceived need for greater efficiency and better service delivery to local communities. However, numerous scholars, as well as practitioners in the local government sector, have argued that amalgamations on their own have not necessarily generated efficiencies. In addition, communities have often strongly opposed mergers and appealed against the perceived loss of local identity and local democracy. In the second of two comparative papers, we provide an account of the processes of amalgamation in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Source: RUNE (Research UNE)
Authors: Ian Tiley, Brian Dollery
Institutions: University of New England, University of New England
Language: English
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Queensland Government
OpenAlex ID: W252965592