Modern Local Government Is Being Tested from Every Direction

Modern Local Government Is Being Tested from Every Direction

At Local Government Focus Day Western Australia 2026, this panel will explore what councils need to strengthen financial sustainability, improve governance and keep service delivery strong under growing pressure.

Overview page | Agenda page | Registration page

Modern local government is being tested from multiple directions at once.

Councils are being asked to stay financially sustainable, manage assets for the long term, meet rising expectations around transparency and accountability, and keep services running well for their communities. None of that sits in isolation. These pressures shape how councils plan, prioritise, invest and deliver.

That is what makes the panel “Navigating the Challenges of Modern Local Government” so timely at Local Government Focus Day Western Australia 2026.

In WA, local government reform has been described by the State Government as the most significant set of changes to the Local Government Act in 25 years, with a strong focus on helping local governments better serve residents and ratepayers. At the same time, the Auditor General’s Local Government 2025 – Financial Audit Results covered 138 local government entities and reinforced the importance of sound financial reporting, asset management, transparency and accountability.

For councils, these are not abstract governance issues. They show up in real decisions about how services are funded, how infrastructure is maintained, how workforce pressures are managed, and how trust is built with elected members, communities and regulators.

This panel brings together senior local government leaders to talk through those realities in a practical way. The discussion will focus on three big areas:

• Strengthening financial sustainability, long-term planning and asset management
• Lifting governance, risk and compliance frameworks to meet growing expectations around transparency, audit and accountability
• Driving organisational efficiency through better processes, procurement and workforce management while maintaining service quality

Featured speakers include:

• Glen Dougall, Chief Executive Officer, City of Fremantle
• Bimsara Pathirathna, Chief Financial Officer, City of Armadale
• Andrew Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer, City of Albany
• Virginia Miltrup, Chief Executive Officer, City of Karratha

The conversation also sits within a broader day built for local government leaders looking for practical ideas they can take back into their councils. Alongside this panel, attendees will explore topics including liveability, AI and digital transformation, technology and people experience, financial sustainability and interactive roundtables designed to help councils compare approaches and share what is working. The event overview for the day speaks directly to the challenge many councils are facing now: improving how services are delivered, how assets are managed and how communities are engaged, while also finding more efficient and sustainable ways forward.

For professionals working across executive leadership, finance, governance, corporate services, risk, procurement, operations and strategy, this panel offers a grounded discussion on what modern council leadership now requires. Not just in theory, but in practice.

Local Government Focus Day Western Australia 2026 takes place on Thursday, 27 August 2026 in Perth, with free registration available for public sector attendees.

Overview page | Agenda page | Registration page