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Meeting 22: Dec 2007

Premier’s Local Government Council – Meeting Report, 12 December 2007

The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) held its 22nd meeting on 12 December 2007, in Launceston.

A major outcome was the commitment to a joint project to commence in 2008 that will enable the State and Local Government to work together to address a number of current issues and emerging trends that impact on the delivery of services by Councils to communities. Mr Lennon said the State and Local Government face some common challenges, such as population ageing, climate change and skills shortage, and that the project’s main aim would be finding innovative approaches to strengthening local government and local services into the future to meet local needs.

The project will examine how State and Local Government can support new service delivery methods, such as resource-sharing, consider means to ensure good practice in the management of services, finances, assets and community participation and consider the future role of the Local Government Board.

Mr Lennon said the State Government was already working with the Local Government Association of Tasmania to implement its report on the financial sustainability of councils and to take advantage of opportunities created by new programs and funding by the Rudd Government.

Local Government Association of Tasmania Acting President, Cr Barry Easther, said Local Government valued the close working relationship developed through the PLGC and saw the project as a further opportunity to work together for the benefit of local communities.

It is expected that a joint steering committee will be established and a detailed plan for the project, including practical actions and outcomes, will be made to the Premier’s Local Government Council meeting in April, 2008.

The PLGC also noted progress on two projects and on the issue of water and sewerage reform. The Premier reiterated his commitment to consultation with the PLGC on water and sewerage reform before a decision is made by Cabinet in the first quarter of 2008.

The PLGC noted progress on the review and re-development of the Statewide Partnership Agreement on Communication and Consultation between the State and Local Government.

The Council received reports on a range of other issues, including progress on:

  • the Better Planning Outcomes project and the State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land;
  • population ageing including the Demographic Change Advisory Council and the Tripartite Agreement for Population Ageing in Tasmania;
  • waste management;
  • and climate change.

The next meeting of the PLGC is scheduled for April 2008, in Hobart.

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