Tasman Council in rethink on merger with Sorell Council

A Tasman-Sorell merger is back on the agenda just three months after the previous Tasman Council voted to reject it.

Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent in the public gallery during the meeting of the previous Tasman Council which rejected amalgamation. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

A TASMAN-Sorell merger is back on the agenda just three months after the previous Tasman Council voted to reject it.

Members of the new Tasman Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to rescind their predecessors’ decision in August to abandon amalgamation. They will now conduct a poll of eligible voters before reaching a decision.

MORE:

SORELL RESIDENTS BACK COUNCIL MERGER

TASMAN COUNCIL TO VOTE AGAINST COUNCIL MERGER PLAN

MERGER FAILURE LAST STRAW FOR FORMER MAYOR

REPORT RECOMMENDS SORELL-TASMAN MERGER

Tasman Council Mayor Kelly Spaulding said the new council wanted to undertake a fresh reconsideration of the issue to fully understand community sentiment.

There are now four pro-merger councillors following October’s local government elections, with three against. This is a reversal of the former council’s 4-3 anti-amalgamation split.

The motion to revisit the merger was brought by pro-amalgamation Deputy Mayor Maria Stacey, while anti-amalgamation councillor Jan Barwick raised the motion to hold a public poll.

One councillor told the Mercury the decision to poll constituents was a way to achieve a compromise between the two parties.

A survey of Tasman residents last year showed almost 75 per cent supported amalgamation, but the survey had a response rate of only about 13 per cent.

Cr Spaulding, who opposed the merger during the election campaign, said the poll would help councillors make a more informed decision.

“We see this as the responsible approach to reopen the discussion and to understand exactly what our community wants,” he said.

“We now have a new council and it is important that we take the time to fully understand and consider the pros and cons for a merger with Sorell.

“In taking this approach, councillors are being transparent and demonstrating that they are listening to the community.

“We believe it’s the right way to ensure the public has its say on the option before us.”

Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent, whose council voted in favour of a merger, said it was pleasing Tasman was again open to amalgamation talks.

“Any conversation about the future of our communities is a good thing,” Cr Vincent said. “It’s all about the betterment of the community.”

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein told Tasman Council he was supportive of the poll process.

“I understand that the amalgamation issue was a key one during the recent council election and I would encourage you to consider what the new council’s position is on this important matter,” he said in a recent letter.

The poll will be conducted by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission early next year.

[e-mail]