No amalgamations or rates cuts after two-year council review
A “one-in-a-generation” review of Tasmania’s local government won’t lead directly to any amalgamations, cuts to rates or job changes for council officials. Why councils are happy with the result.
Tasmania
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What was hailed as a “one-in-a-generation” review of Tasmania’s local government sector will not lead directly to any amalgamations, any reductions in the number of council bureaucrats, any improvements in services or any cuts to council rates.
The state government received the final report of the Future of Local Government Review 13 months ago. It released its response on Wednesday.
Commissioned by then Minister for Local Government and Planning Michael Ferguson in 2022, the review was billed as “a historic opportunity” to review the future of the sector.
An interim report noted that “maintaining 29 councils will continue to have a significant and detrimental impact on the ability of the sector to attract and retain key staff, to uniformly manage assets well, and to deliver important regulatory functions”.
But the government ruled out forced amalgamations.
Of the 37 recommendations in the final report, 20 were supported in full, six partially or conditionally and eight will be tackled after the 2026 council elections.
The government rejected one of the recommendations – that communities must hold elector polls before any amalgamations.
Plans will be developed to explore future opportunities to consider mergers of West Coast, Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head; Kentish and Latrobe; Break O’Day, Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Sorell; Hobart and Glenorchy and Kingborough and Huon Valley Councils.
Among the other supported recommendations are inserting a new definition of the role of local government in the relevant act and a new Local Government Board to oversee any amalgamations and
Minister for Local Government Kerry Vincent released the government's response.
“Our position of no forced amalgamations remains, however, as part of the Priority Reform Program, we will support councils who wish to explore voluntary amalgamations,” he said.
“Where councils are willing and able to prepare and submit robust amalgamation proposals that demonstrate tangible benefits to their respective communities, we will work with them to progress structural reforms.”
“I would like to thank the Local Government Board for delivering a bold, well-considered package of reforms that will shape the future of local government in Tasmania, and to all 29 councils, their communities and key stakeholders for having their say during this process.”
Local Government Association of Tasmania chief Mick Tucker said councils were happy with the result.
“Tasmanian councils have invested considerable time and effort in informing this review and it is pleasing to see that the Government has listened to our sector on what the first tranche of reforms should involve,”
The report will be followed by a discussion paper in the next ten weeks.
Labor branded the review a waste of time and money.
“The report cost Tasmanians $3 million, and it took the Liberals 13 months to respond, party deputy leader Anita Dow said.
“Given the extremely limited outcomes outlined today it is very difficult to say Tasmanians got value for money.”
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