The City of Bayswater wants council elections to be held every four years instead of two and has called for support for the idea from the WA Local Government Association.

WA is the only jurisdiction in the nation with biennial local government elections, where half of councillors are elected every two years.

New Zealand also follows a four-year cycle for local government elections.

Bayswater says the current system has escalating costs and creates voter fatigue and less effective governance.

It said their election costs had increased from $106,099 in 2013 to $246.276 in 2023. This year’s elections were expected to cost $267,000.

Holding elections every four years was expected to free more funds for community projects.

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley flagged a four-year elect

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