Tasmania council amalgamations: New border options revealed

As the state government considers cutting down Tasmania’s 29 councils through amalgamation, possible new borders have been suggested. SEE THE PLAN >>

As the state government considers cutting down Tasmania’s 29 councils through amalgamation, possible new borders have been suggested.

The state government released its consultation packs last week, which outline the options for new boundaries, for councils to take to their communities for feedback.

Last month, the state government released an interim report, which outlined nine catchment areas, created for purpose of consultation.

Under the suggested boundaries, there are very few council areas which have the option of being exempt from amalgamation.

In the state’s south, there are four main catchments: the Western Shore, the Eastern Shore, the Southern Shore and the South East.

The Western Shore catchment captures Brighton, Derwent Valley, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough.

The first of three options encapsulates the Hobart City and Glenorchy City local government areas stretching from Granton to Taroona.

The second option builds on that, including the urban parts of Kingborough.

The third options stretches even further, taking in Glenorchy, Hobart City and Brighton. It also includes Kingston and New Norfolk.

Tasmania. Satellite image courtesy of NASA.

The Eastern Shore catchment has also been presented with three options, the first is for one council area which includes the entire Clarence area, combined with the urban areas of the Sorell local government area.

The second suggestions is to combine Clarence with the entire Brighton local government area.

The third option leaves Brighton out of the picture, instead encapsulating the Clarence, Sorell and Tasman LGAs.

The Southern Shore catchment area consults Hobart, Huon Valley and Kingborough communities.

There are three boundary suggestions for this catchment, the first is split the regions into two councils. It’s effectively the same as it is now, a separate council area for the Huon Valley, a separate council area for Kingborough. The only thing which changes, is removing Taroona from Kingborough, so it can be absorbed by a Hobart centric council.

The second suggestion is to combine the Huon Valley and Kingborough regions to create one council. The third option is similar to the second, the difference being that Taroona and urban Kingston are excluded from the amalgamated council, to instead be absorbed by a Hobart inclusive council.

There are two suggestions for the South East community catchment (which captures Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Sorell and Tasman councils): one is for a new council taking in the entire catchment, with the exception of the urban areas of Sorell.

The second is to cover all three areas, but exclude Bicheno from the boundary.