There is an interesting article in today’s Subiaco Post about a study on local council amalgamations by University of Western Australia economist James Fogarty and co-author Amin Mugera.

Fogarty told the Subi Post that there is no evidence at all that merging councils would be better for delivering services or the economy of local councils. Interestingly this is the first major study done on this in WA and the results are supported by studies done interstate and overseas.

Fogarty and Mugera measured the efficiencies of 98 W.A. councils and came to the conclusion that policies should not been based on assertions but on evidence.

No doubt our matter of fact Premier Colin Barnett will totally ignore these facts and ram through the mergers of local councils, no matter if for example Fremantle wants to marry Melville or not. Like all spin experts Colin will not let stand facts in…