Tasmania can't continue to be over governed by 29 councils, many of which struggle to make ends meet, retain staff and run the same services, with the same number of staff and equipment, as the next small council a few kilometres away.

Councils are needed as it's the level of government closest to communities.

But efficiencies and amalgamation must proceed in this term of government.

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As Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said, local government reform has been a political football for too long.

We can't keep kicking the ball down the road.

The Premier's Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council in March recommended political parties collaborated on reform and that "the stand-off on local government reform must end".

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However, Local Government Minister Roger Jaensch announced on Thursday that taking a cross-party approach had failed and the Gutwein government was going at it alone in consultation with stakeholders.

This decision can be viewed two ways.

The government gave up on the recommended approach or opposition parties made a terrible decision to play politics.

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The government does not need to worry about political capital to achieve the reform needed, and consultation with stakeholders is a diligent process whether it has the support of Labor, the Greens and independents in the lower house or not.

They are virtually up against no opposition and for the sake of culling a few inefficient and self-interested councils and councillors some of it is well worth spending.

What matters is getting the right outcome and local government should not solely be allowed to decide its own fate.

Premier Peter Gutwein must ensure he follows through on the government's plan to take the lead, consult, draft the reforms and make it happen so Tasmania can be governed by the system it deserves.

Enough is enough.