Premier’s Local Government Council – Meeting Report

7 June 2006

The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) held its 18th meeting today. At the meeting, the Premier made a presentation to Ms Lynn Mason, President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, who was attending PLGC for the last time in that role. The Premier thanked Lynn for her great contribution to the PLGC and to the excellent working relationship between the State and Local Government that had developed in recent years.

The Premier also thanked retiring PLGC member, Cr Ross Hine, commenting on the leadership role that Ross has played, not least during community tragedies.

The PLGC noted progress on a number of major projects it oversees:

• Strategic Infrastructure Project: This project aims to build a picture of future economic infrastructure demands across Tasmania. Through the project a framework will be developed to guide State and Local Government infrastructure decision-making, ensuring infrastructure projects align with investment opportunities and maximise economic benefits to Tasmania.
• Promoting Tasmania: The Tasmanian Brand Guide is now available and provides a range of criteria and suggested approaches to ensure Tasmania is promoted in line with its key brand attributes. The guide has been widely distributed, including to Councils, as well as to industry bodies, such as the TCCI and local Chambers of Commerce.
• Review of the Operations and Functions of the Local Government Board: The PLGC noted that this review has commenced and that there will be significant consultation with Local Government and the community on the future operations and functions of the Local Government Board.

The PLGC received a presentation on the Regional Economic Development and Investment (REDI) Plans Report. The PLGC was informed that the REDI plans were designed to develop a greater understanding of Tasmanian regional investment and infrastructure issues, intentions and constraints. The report presents the responses to a questionnaire of 1323 Tasmanian business enterprises. The inaugural survey largely shows that respondents have performed well over 2004/05 and in general are expecting a similar performance in the next year or so.

The PLGC agreed that, because initiatives in the draft Partnership Agreement for Young Tasmanians had already been implemented, ways to make the Agreement more effective would be considered. There was also an exchange of information on a range of other issues including addressing skill shortages in Local Government, strategies in response to climate change and the fire service levy. The Council was provided with information by the Premier on Spirit III, the new Community Development Division and the extension of the tender threshold to $100,000.

The next meeting of the PLGC is scheduled for Thursday, 7 December 2006.

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