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Meeting 25: Dec 2008

Premier’s Local Government Council – Meeting, 26 September 2008

The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) held its 25th meeting on 26 September 2008, in Launceston, Tasmania. It was Premier David Bartlett’s first meeting as Chair of the PLGC.

The PLGC discussed progress on the Stronger Councils, Better Services program and reached broad agreement that funding would be provided to support the following outcomes:

• improved long-term financial and asset planning in local government
• better knowledge of planning processes
• resource sharing demonstration projects.

The Stronger Councils, Better Services Steering Committee will finalise the details of the funding allocations to support the above objectives.

The PLGC received an update on the progress of the review and redevelopment of the statewide partnership agreement on communication and consultation. There was broad agreement on the structure of the agreement with members deciding that a new schedule would list two sets of issues – one relating to ongoing business and one relating to high-level strategic issues of mutual interest. The final details will be prepared for consideration at the December meeting of the PLGC.

The PLGC discussed the progress on the water and sewerage reforms. It was widely agreed that while there are still some challenges to come, the achievements of the process so far are a credit to the parties. The PLGC praised the ongoing efforts of the Water and Sewerage Taskforce which has provided significant support to local government throughout the process.

The PLGC discussed compulsory voting in local government elections. It was agreed that the State Government would prepare a comprehensive paper as a starting point for discussions.

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

  • the statewide partnership agreement on climate change
  • the evaluation of the partnership agreements program
  • community forums
  • population ageing including the Demographic Change Advisory Council and the Tripartite Agreement for Population Ageing in Tasmania
  • planning and policy legislation.

The next meeting of the PLGC is scheduled for 16 December 2008, in Hobart.

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