Premier’s Local Government Council – Meeting Report

2 September 2004

The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) held its 14th meeting today. The Council agreed on a new strategic framework for the operations of the PLGC and developed a new work program.

Members agreed that the key objective of the PLGC should be to pursue the best interest of Tasmanians through the cooperation of the two spheres of government. It was acknowledged that the PLGC provides the best opportunity for resolving issues of statewide significance as well as that all activities undertaken by the PLGC should continue to strengthen the relationship between the two spheres of government

It was agreed that the PLGC will have a role in developing joint high level policy with a focus on strategic issues of state significance and that its work program will be underpinned by the Tasmania Together goals and benchmarks.

The PLGC agreed that the PLGC Protocol Agreement document should be amended to reflect the proposed changes to the overall framework within which the PLGC would function in the future.

The Premier’s Local Government Council considered three new projects for inclusion on its work program:

1. Strategic infrastructure and its relationship to the economic development of the State
2. Export promotion
3. Increasing retention rates and skilling-up of young people

Members called for detail project plans for the first two proposals. It was agree that the issue of increasing retention rates and skilling of young people would be incorporated into the statewide Partnership Agreement on Young Tasmanians that is currently being developed.

The PLGC noted progress on projects it oversees, in particular:
State and Local Government Financial Reforms - The State and Local Government Financial Reform Act 2003 (“the Act”) received Royal Assent on 17 November 2003 and commenced on 1 July 2004. Treasury and LGAT have conducted an education program throughout the State and educational audits related to payroll tax will be completed on a sample section of Councils towards the end of the 2004-05 financial year. A guideline for Councils on the practical application of the new exemption for parks and gardens under section 17 of the Land Tax Act 2000 has also been developed. A program has been put in place between DPIWE and Forestry Tasmania to ensure that all Forestry land is placed on the valuation roll in a staged process by 31 December 2004. Councils will be able to use the supplementary valuation provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 to impose rates on Forestry land in 2004?05.
State and Local Government Communication and Consultation - The evaluation of the Agreement has been completed. Good progress had been made on all Schedules. The Working Group is now in the process of reviewing the Guidelines which it expect will be completed within 6 months.
Review of the Local Government Act 1993 - The Hon Jim Cox, Minister for Infrastructure and Minister Assisting the Premier on Local Government indicated that in June 2004 an exposure draft of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2004 was released for 8 weeks consultation. The Government is also developing new Local Government (General) Regulations 2004. The Government will release an exposure draft of these Regulations later in 2004.
Statewide Partnership Agreement on Young Tasmanians - The four sub- working Groups have been established. All sub-working Groups have met and are currently discussing issues and strategies for inclusion in the statewide Agreement. It is anticipated the draft Agreement will be tabled for consideration at the December meeting of the PLGC.

The PLGC also concluded the Simplifying Planning Schemes and the Building & Construction Training Policy projects.

The next meeting of the PLGC is scheduled for Thursday 9 December 2004.

• Print-friendly view
• Print page
• Site A-Z

Resources

• Local Government Directory
• Resources for councillors
• Publications
• Legislation
• By-Law Directory
• Related Websites (Links)