Ratepayers face bill for council merger

Kwinana and Cockburn ratepayers could foot part of the bill for local government reform if the State Government does not allocate more money to the changeover, according to Mayor Carol Adams.

The two cities are to merge as the City of Jervoise Bay - a temporary name - after the State Government's final decision on local government reform last week.

The shake-up is set to reduce Perth's 30 councils to 16 by July next year, with all but two Local Government Advisory Board recommendations being accepted by the State.

Cr Adams said the two cities had estimated the transition would cost more than $6 million.

With Kwinana reserving $650,000 and Cockburn $350,000 in their 2014-15 budgets for reform, Cr Adams said "without doubt" money would have to be raised through the community.

"Unless the Government is prepared to fund the entire reform amount, you have no other alternative than to raise those funds through the community, through rates," she said.

Cr Adams said the cities would have another briefing with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson this week, where she hoped additional funding would be released.

"The $5 million allocated between the 15 councils is woefully inadequate," she said.

Cr Adams said she would also discuss the issue of the City of Jervoise Bay - boasting a population of 124,000 - not having a ward system, with Mr Simpson.

She said the community still had the option to request an official poll on the matter via the Dadour provisions, but the council would continue to prepare for amalgamation with Cockburn.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the outcome was "bittersweet", with the City set to lose a significant number of residents and assets, but he looked forward to working with Kwinana towards a smooth transition.