The state government has confirmed a number of council amalgamations will be scrapped after a lack of community support.

The Barnett government's grand plan to amalgamate some metropolitan councils went down the gurgler after a number of ratepayers' polls returned a "no" vote on Saturday.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson has been forced to cancel plans to amalgamate some WA councils.. Credit:ABC News

As a result, Local Government Minister Tony Simpson announced on Sunday that the amalgamations of Kwinana and Cockburn, Fremantle and East Fremantle, and South Perth and Victoria Park would not proceed.

Mr Simpson said he was disappointed that ratepayers in the areas would not enjoy the benefits the amalgamations would have brought.