Calls for the state government to step in and force council amalgamations are growing in the north of the state.
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Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose and City of Launceston alderman Danny Gibson have both thrown their weight behind a push for involuntary local government amalgamations.
The calls come just after the Local Government Board, headed by Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein, advised on Friday that the Sorell and Tasman councils should merge.
Other states have tried to impose council reform and failed because it hasn’t been supported and driven by local communities.
- Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein
Mr Gutwein maintained it was not the state government’s policy to pursue forced amalgamations.
“Other states have tried to impose council reform and failed because it hasn’t been supported and driven by local communities,” he said.
However, Mr Grose said it was time for the state government to take action in the face of local government inaction.
A bid for the West Tamar and George Town councils to merge was scuppered at its first hurdle earlier this year, after the George Town councillors voted against taking the proposal to a community consultation period.
No serious suggestions for any other Northern Tasmanian council amalgamations have been proposed since by the local government sector.
“The current system has not served ratepayers nor business well, Mr Grose said. “It is well past time for a strong review of local government, with a view to implementing a system of fewer councils.
“This should clearly be led and implemented by the state government after appropriate periods of review and consultation.”
Alderman Gibson, meanwhile, posted on social media on Friday to say that 29 councils for a population of about 515,000 was far too many.
Metropolitan Sydney, in comparison, has 30 councils for a population of about 5 million people.
“I am strongly of the view that the state government needs to initiate local government reform,” Mr Gibson said.
“Launceston is providing a plethora of regional facilities that our neighbours are not paying for.
“Voluntary amalgamations will not work.”
The comments from Mr Grose and aldernman Gibson come days after Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey suggested the state government should cut the 29 councils down to just three.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
