The City of Mandurah has spoken out further after it was revealed 95 full-time and part-time staff were temporarily stood down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Almost 20 per cent of the City's 550 staff received the news earlier this month following the closures of local facilities amid the crisis.
A spokeswoman said the decision had "not been taken lightly".
"The City highly values its staff and is committed to helping our people during this tough time," she said.
"The City has had to make the same tough decisions that business owners everywhere are having to make, responding to loss of revenues by cutting expenditure and unfortunately staff.
"The City is making these business decisions while also trying to soften the immediate and long-term impact on its people and the Mandurah community.
"Unfortunately, most local governments across Australia face a similar situation due to significant revenue losses from closures of facilities."
The City has had to make the same tough decisions that business owners everywhere are having to make, responding to loss of revenues by cutting expenditure and unfortunately staff.
- City of Mandurah spokeswoman
The staff temporarily stood down are employed in roles directly related to operating venues that have been forced to close their doors - including the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, local libraries and the Mandurah Museum.
Affected staff have been offered another two weeks' salary and access to annual and long service leave options until the federal assistance package is made available on April 27 for those who are eligible.
Local governments do not currently qualify for the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme but it is believed the WA Local Government Association is working with the government to address this.
The City spokeswoman said staff would get their jobs back as soon as the facilities reopen.
"It's important to note these employees have not been terminated and they will still accrue leave while they are stood down," she said.
"More of the staff who have been stood down will be redeployed as roles are found for them."
It is unknown how many casual workers have also been affected.
"Casual employees have not technically been stood down, but there are no longer hours available for them to work until the MARC reopens," the spokeswoman said.
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The move came despite a call from Premier Mark McGowan for local governments not to stand staff down.
In a press conference earlier this month, Mr McGowan said all staff should be redeployed into other areas.
"A couple of weeks ago I called on local governments not to put up rates, fees and charges. I'd also urge locals governments not to stand down staff," he said.
In an interview with the Mandurah Mail last week, Australian Services Union WA secretary Wayne Wood said the City of Mandurah had "jumped the gun".
"If the council is facing hardship, then stand down is a possibility but we haven't got to this point for this council yet," he said.
"We're going to need people to stimulate the economy. We don't need people being stood down at this time."
However, Australian Local Government Association president David O'Loughlin said staffing issues would be just one problem councils will need to face in this period of "tough going".
"These immediate and impending impacts on revenue cannot be withstood whilst thousands of specialised employees from closed facilities remain on the payroll with no work and no financial assistance to retain them," he said.
"The vast majority of councils do not have the financial reserves to provide for any further retention of casual or permanent staff associated with closed facilities where user charges have plummeted or expired."
