The Systemic Sustainability Study (SSS) was created out of a request from the WA Local Government Association’s member Councils in 2004 to investigate sustainability in the sector. Independent research carried out in 2006 found that 58% of Western Australian Councils were unsustainable given their current source revenue, and made a number of recommendations for action.

The sector, through a SSS Taskforce and five separate Working Groups has considered these recommendations, culminating in a draft plan proposing a new structure to improve delivery of services to communities while retaining local representation.

The Draft Report The Journey – Local Government Sustainability into the Future is open for feedback and comment from Local Governments and key stakeholders until 16 June, 2008. Following this period, feedback will be considered and potentially incorporated into the final report, to be published in June 2008.