THE Tasmanian Liberal Party has thrown its support behind local government amalgamations, with rank and file members saying the state is ridiculously over-governed.

A motion calling on the state government to encourage council mergers easily passed the party’s state council yesterday, days before local government polls open around Tasmania.

Speaking in favour of the motion, delegate Christian Street said Tasmania had one local, state or federal government representative for every 1500 people, a much lower number than the rest of the country.

“Frankly, that’s ridiculous,” he told the council.

“We are over-represented as it stands and there is no threat to democracy by reducing the number of councils.”

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein said he would write to all 29 local councils, asking them to consider amalgamation or increased resource-sharing with other municipalities. 

“I’ve already made it very clear that the government is not considering forced amalgamations,” he said.

“However, we believe the time is right for the community to have a conversation about voluntary council amalgamations.”

Braddon MHR Brett Whiteley said the motion was a good way to ensure the issue was front-of-mind for the state government. 

“We’d be foolish to suggest that there are not coming in the very near future some significant  financial troubles and sustainability issues for smaller councils in this state,” he said.

Postal voting in local government elections opens tomorrow.