Premier’s Local Government Council – Meeting Report

7 December 2005

The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) held its 17th meeting today.

The Council noted progress on a number of major projects it oversees and agreed to add new issues to its work program.

It also endorsed revised Guidelines for Communication and Consultation between the State Government and Local Government in Tasmania. The Premier, Paul Lennon, and the President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Lynn Mason, agreed that communication and consultation had improved, that there was a much better working relationship between State and Local Government in Tasmania and that no other State or Territory in Australia matched these changed circumstances. It was also agreed that the new guidelines would be widely promoted to continue the improvement that has been made.

The PLGC noted progress on:

• Strategic Infrastructure Project: This project aims to build a picture of future infrastructure demands across Tasmania. The project will guide State and Local Government decision-making and promote investment in new and existing infrastructure to maximise economic benefits to Tasmania. The Council also received a presentation on the development of Regional Economic Development and Investment (REDI) Plans and initial results of a major survey of Tasmanian businesses, which has added weight to other indicators of the strength of the Tasmanian economy. A report on the survey will be released early in 2006.
• Promoting Tasmania: State and Local Government are working together to promote Tasmania consistently across Local Government areas, taking into account important aspects of the Tasmania 'brand'. PLGC received a report that a kit and handbook is to be distributed to Councils to provide practical assistance in February 2006.
• Financial Reform: The Council agreed that the implementation of the very successful statewide Partnership Agreement on financial reform had been completed. The Premier reported that, as a result of this reform alone, Local Government is better off by more than $3 million a year.
  The new issues added to the work program include addressing skill shortages in Local Government and review of the Local Government Board operations and functions.

There was an exchange of information on a range of other issues.

The next meeting of the PLGC is scheduled for Thursday, 6 April 2006.

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