Hobart City Council rejects merger talks, opts for community poll on Glenorchy amalgamation
A council’s decision on how to move forward with a proposal to merge of Hobart and Glenorchy has been slammed by the alderman who brought the proposal to the table. POLL INSIDE.
The Hobart City Council is keeping amalgamation on the agenda despite rejecting a move to begin talks with the Glenorchy City Council.
A motion to initiate preliminary talks with the Glenorchy City Council over a potential amalgamation between the cities was moved by Alderman Marti Zucco at Monday’s council meeting.
The motion – which Alderman Zucco likened to “asking the Glenorchy City Council to lunch” – was defeated 6-5, with opponents arguing it overlooked the views of ratepayers.
A revised motion inviting the Glenorchy City Council to join the Hobart City Council in holding an elector poll at the next local government elections was instead endorsed.
The motion was moved by councillor Gemma Kitsos, who argued it was a more sensible way to progress the issue.
“(Amalgamation) has been on the table for a long time,” she said.
“It’s complicated and difficult ... and evidence based research has to be how we form an opinion.”
The elector poll – which would be held by both councils at the October 2026 local government elections – would come at no cost to the council and would not be binding.
Should the Glenorchy City Council agree to hold one, the Hobart City Council will commission a report examining the “implications, opportunities and risks” of the merge, as well as legislative, financial and operational considerations.
A funding agreement would also be sought with the state government.
Mr Zucco said the decision to pursue an elector poll ahead of a roundtable discussion with the Glenorchy City Council was a “complete waste of time and ratepayer money” that would “kick the decision-making down the path”.
“There are already reports on the table which would provide enough information for Hobart and Glenorchy to participate in common sense discussions without the need for Glenorchy to have to agree to an elector poll,” he said.
Glenorchy City Council mayor Sue Hickey said while any request would need to be debated and voted on by council, she held personal concerns about elector polls “for their potential to create conflict in the community”.
“These are also not necessarily cheap exercises, and, ultimately, aren’t binding,” she said.
“As I have said for a long time, councils should be talking with each other to determine efficiencies through collaboration, and where benefits can be realised for ratepayers, amalgamations should be discussed.
“The driving force for amalgamations needs to be the proper analysis and delivery of actual benefits, not simply a vote which may or may not be tainted by political campaigning.”
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Originally published as Hobart City Council rejects merger talks, opts for community poll on Glenorchy amalgamation
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