THE number of councils in Perth will be slashed from 30 to 15 under the State Government's plan for local government reform released this morning.

Despite an earlier plan to slash the number of metropolitan councils to 14, the government has decided on 15 after deciding not to amalgamate Fremantle and Melville.

The government's blueprint will now be submitted to a Local Government Advisory Board for further considerations, with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson making a final decision mid next year.

Aside from an expanded Perth, which includes the City of Vincent, proposed new local governments will be created from mergers between:

-The high growth City of Gosnells and the City of Canning

-The City of Bayswater and the Town of Bassendean

-The City of Belmont and the Shire of Kalamunda

-The City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park

-The City of Swan and the Shire of Mundaring

-The City of Kwinana with the City of Cockburn, shifting the northern border of the City of Cockburn further south.

New local government reform boundaries - reducing number of councils from 30 to 15 @TenNewsPerthpic.twitter.com/03UFctuKlA

As well, the government proposes:

-Retaining the City of Fremantle with the suburb of North Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle

-Expanding the City of Melville to take in parts of the City of Cockburn, the City of Fremantle and the City of Canning

-Seven local governments (Cambridge, Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove and Subiaco) in the western suburbs into one, plus the suburbs of Wembley Downs, Churchlands and part of Woodlands

-Retaining part of Mt Lawley, including the aquatic centre and golf club, in the City of Stirling

Shifting the City of Armadale southern boundary to take in the high growth urban areas of the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale

-Shifting the Shire of Murray border northwards to take in the rural areas of the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale

-No changes to the boundaries for the cities of Rockingham, Wanneroo and Joondalup.

Mr Simpson said he would make a final decision on the proposed changes mid next year.

He said ratepayers and councils still had a chance to make submissions to the LGAB, which he said was an independent board.

He said he would either "reject or approve'' the LGAB's recommendations - but denied the government was forcing amalgamations.

"It's a sign of a flexible and consultative government that we have listened to the views and taken suggestions on board,'' Mr Simpson said.

"We've invested four months in refining our preferred model and now it's over the LGAB to gather input from local governments and communities and conduct a thorough review to final recommendations to me next year.

"Reform is happening.

"The local government sector ready for it.''