Amalgamation discussions should occur before changes to the Glamorgan Spring Bay northern boundary, the region’s mayor says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The call comes as the council gets set to host a special meeting on Tuesday to present information about a voluntary amalgamation with councils to its south.
A survey asked Glamorgan Spring Bay residents if they believed the region should amalgamate with Sorell, Tasman Peninsula and Clarence councils. More than 550 residents responded, with 76 per cent saying yes.
But Break O’Day Council has renewed its push to extend its southern boundary to Devils Corner.
The boundary change would see the northern half of Glamorgan Spring Bay moved to Break O’Day and the southern part moved to Sorell.
The region’s mayor Mick Tucker said residents of Glamorgan Spring Bay “seemed adamant” they wanted the boundary change.
“Whilst there may be an amalgamation, when you have three councils and you end up with two through a boundary change, that’s still amalgamation,” Cr Tucker said.
“Logically the people in Bicheno come to St Helens to shop, their kids go to school at St Marys, they play sport in Break O’Day.
“It’s very viable for us. We need Sorell to be an active partner in this and they are showing a lot of interest ... so that needs to be investigated.”
Local government minister Peter Gutwein said he welcomed Glamorgan Spring Bay’s decision to consider amalgamation.
“Should they decide to consider an amalgamation option then we will work through the process with them,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Across the state, the vast majority of our councils operate efficiently and effectively. We work with councils to assist them to become as efficient as they possibly can.”
Mr Gutwein said he was aware of Break O’Days proposal, but said the option needed to be modelled and considered.