Kwinana Council: Frequently Asked Questions
The Basics: How the Council Works
Q: How many Councillors represent Kwinana?
A: There are 9 Elected Members in total: 1 Mayor and 8 Councillors. Unlike some other cities, Kwinana does not have “wards,” meaning every councillor represents the entire community.
Q: How long is a Councillor’s term in office?
A: They are elected for a four-year term. Elections are held every two years (in October), where roughly half of the seats are up for vote to ensure continuity.
Q: Who elects the Mayor?
A: As of 2023, the community elects the Mayor directly through a public vote. Previously, councillors chose the Mayor from among themselves, but this changed to give residents more power.
Q: Who elects the CEO and who pays their salary?
A: The Elected Councillors appoint the CEO. However, the CEO’s salary is paid using ratepayer funds (your tax dollars). The salary range is set by an independent state tribunal, but the Council decides the final contract.
Q: How often are Council meetings held?
A: As of 2026, Ordinary Council Meetings are held once a month, typically on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Please note there is usually only one meeting in December and no meetings are held in January.
Q: What is the Boola Maara Aboriginal Consultative Committee and how often do they meet?
A: The Boola Maara Aboriginal Consultative Committee is a formal advisory body that provides the City of Kwinana with strategic advice on matters affecting the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The committee meets monthly (typically on the first Monday of the month). As an official Committee of Council, its operations, including member sitting fees and administrative support, are funded through the City’s annual ratepayer budget.
Q: Can ratepayers attend these meetings?
A: Yes. Meetings are open to the public. You can even ask a question during “Public Question Time,” provided you submit it by 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting.
Q: Who decides on big projects (over $2 million) or new housing developments?
A: For very large projects (usually over $2 million), decisions are often made by the Development Assessment Panel (DAP), which includes both state-appointed experts and local councillors. While the Council provides a recommendation, the DAP has the final say on these major “significant” developments.
15 More Things Busy Parents Should Know
1. Where can I find out how my specific Councillor voted?
Currently, individual votes (who said ‘yes’ or ‘no’) are not always recorded in the minutes unless a “division” is called. ALWMGroup is advocating for all individual votes to be recorded so you can see if your representative is actually listening to you.
2. Why did our bin sizes change?
The Council moved to a “three-bin system” (FOGO) to meet state environmental targets. However, many families find the smaller red bins difficult to manage.
3. Is the “hard waste” verge collection coming back?
The Council currently uses a “pre-booked” system instead of the old scheduled verge pickups. We are monitoring the community’s feedback on whether this is actually working or just leading to more illegal dumping.
4. How much of my rates go toward executive salaries?
A significant portion of the budget covers “Employee Costs,” which includes executive salaries. These are often grouped together in reports, making it hard to see the exact cost of top management versus frontline workers.
5. What is the “Boola Maara” Committee and what does it cost?
This is the Aboriginal Consultative Committee. While its goal is cultural guidance, ALWMGroup believes the community deserves a clear breakdown of the costs involved in running and consulting with this committee.
6. Who do I call if a park playground is broken?
You should use the City’s “Report It 24/7” tool on their website. If it isn’t fixed promptly, let us know!
7. Can the Council raise my rates by as much as they want?
There are state guidelines, but ultimately, the Council sets the rate during the annual budget. This is why it’s vital to have councillors who prioritize family budgets.
8. Are Council meetings live-streamed?
Yes, you can watch them live on the City’s YouTube channel or website if you can’t make it in person because of the kids’ bedtime.
9. How do I apply for a “Rate Payment Plan” if I’m struggling?
You can contact the City’s Finance Team to request an installment plan, but be aware that interest charges often apply.
10. Who looks after the school crossing guards?
While the Council works with schools, the “Lollipop” guards are actually managed by the WA Police Force.
11. Can I petition the Council if I don’t like a decision? Yes. There are strict rules on how a petition must be formatted to be “legally received” by the Council. We can help you with the right template.
12. Why are there so many “Confidential” items on the meeting agenda?
The Council can go “behind closed doors” for legal, land, or staff matters. We believe this is used too often and pushes too much public business into the dark.
13. Does the Council provide any subsidies for families?
There are occasionally rebates for things like cloth nappies or security sensor lights. Check the “Healthy Lifestyles” section of the City website.
14. Who is responsible for the hooning on my street?
Safety is a mix of Council (street design/lighting) and the Police (enforcement). You should report hooning to the Police on 131 444, but tell the Council if a road design is making it worse.
15. How can I join ALWMGroup to help?
Just click the “Join Us” button on our homepage! We are 100% volunteers and residents just like you.