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Meeting 24: April 2008

Premier’s Local Government Council – Meeting Report, 29 April 2008

The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) held its 24th meeting on 29 April 2008, in Launceston, Tasmania.

The PLGC discussed the importance of climate change as an issue for governments and agreed to joint work between the State Government and local government on specific initiatives, including:

  • sharing methodologies on assessing carbon footprints
  • joint community consultation and education programs
  • assessing the impact of climate change on local government infrastructure
  • sharing knowledge on other successful climate change initiatives.

Mr Lennon commented on the State Government’s agenda for social inclusion, emphasising the importance of tackling homelessness and the focus of the government in achieving a count of those ‘sleeping it rough’ in Tasmania. Mr Lennon said social inclusion required a whole-of-government and community response, and that the State Government would need local government help on specific initiatives.

The PLGC has now added affordable housing to its work program, with an initial focus on collaborative work towards Commonwealth programs and initiatives including the Housing Affordability Fund, National Rental Affordability Scheme, and A Place to Call Home, and audits for suitable land to be released for housing development and community infrastructure.

The PLGC discussed the further progress on water and sewerage reforms, noting the contribution from State and local government officers on the related legislation before it was submitted to the Legislative Council in early April.

The PLGC approved the framework for the Stronger Councils, Better Services project and agreed to approve project plans out of session, prior to the next meeting of the PLGC. Stronger Councils will seek to promote the financial sustainability and good governance of councils, as well as looking at innovative service delivery models, including resource sharing among councils.

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

  • the development of the second Statewide Agreement on Communication and Consultation
  • 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
  • infrastructure matters.

Jim Cox MP, the Minister for Local Government, commented on the review of allowances payable to local government councillors by the Tasmanian Industrial Commission’s board of inquiry and encouraged members to make submissions before the closing date on Friday 2 May 2008.

The next meeting of the PLGC is scheduled for 14 August 2008, in Hobart.

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