THERE will be no forced council amalgamations after Saturday's election, all three party leaders vowed last night.

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman and Greens leader Nick McKim were both strong advocates for more local government sharing arrangements while Premier David Bartlett said the Government's school amalgamation model was a base for council- led change.

Mr Hodgman said that local government should be empowered to look after public housing, parks, management of wildlife and other environment issues but guaranteed that any state services administered through local government would be done on a commercial contract basis

"Our vision is of local government growing - we will not force local councils to amalgamate," Mr Hodgman said.

"We have delivered $500,000 to help councils share services ... being more creative and effective with service delivery."

Mr McKim said the Greens would also like to help local government share services and costs to improve service quality.

He said neighbouring councils should share the purchase costs of plant and equipment and shared work positions.

"We need to get creative about delivering better services to local communities but we will not force amalgamations," Mr McKim said.

Mr Bartlett said the Government was working with local government to deliver up to 30 family and child centres in disadvantaged areas, developing local planning schemes and aggregating waste disposal and recycling.

"You will see more of those schemes under a Labor government," Mr Bartlett said.

He said he believed amalgamations were inevitable but would not be forced.