Earlier this year, the WA State Government disbanded the WALIS Advisory Committee as part of a whole-of-government program to rationalise the number of committees and boards. In addition, a post implementation review of the Shared Land Information Platform (SLIP) was undertaken that offered several recommendations regarding the WALIS governance structure.

Through the WALIS Spatial Management Group, a working group was formed to undertake a review of the WALIS governance structure.

Members of the working group are:

• Dave Currell (SMG, Water Corporation)

• Mike Waters (SMG, FESA)

• Damian Shepherd (Council, Department of Agriculture and Food)

• Paul Harris (Former Chair, WALIS Advisory Committee)

• Ray Wills (Former Deputy Chair, WALIS Advisory Committee)

• Marnie Leybourne (Director, WALIS)

The group began by reviewing the current and proposed structures of similar bodies to WALIS across Australia and New Zealand. Several other jurisdictions are undertaking reviews as well. The review also considered issues facing WA as a starting point for developing a new structure for Western Australia.

The working group developed a new draft governance model, to be finalised for release at WALIS International Forum 2009 (11 - 13 November) with implementation from 1 January 2010.

In addition to a new governance model, the working group has also been working on a spatial vision for Western Australia. This work will continue and link to that also being developed by Landgate under instruction from the Minister for Lands.

Comment is sought from all members (or proposed members) of the WALIS community on this proposed governance structure. In particular, comment is sought in relation to the three issues in section 5.