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Department of Premier and Cabinet

Local Government Reform

The Tasmanian Government recognises the need for a careful and considered approach to developing options for local government reform, such as voluntary amalgamations and strategic shared service opportunities. Evidence in other states suggests that some of the successful factors in local government reform includes developing a comprehensive business case and building support for change within councils and communities.

In February 2015, the Minister for Planning and Local Government, the Hon Peter Gutwein MP, met with the mayors, deputy mayors and general managers of Tasmanian councils at regional meetings in Hobart, Ulverstone and Launceston to discuss how the Tasmanian Government can work with local government to build a strong and resilient local government sector and improve the service delivery outcomes for Tasmanian communities.

The Minister established four reform principles that must be met before proposals are considered. Reform proposals must:

  • be in the interest of ratepayers;
  • improve the level of services for communities;
  • preserve and maintain local representation; and
  • ensure that the financial status of the entities is strengthened.

The Tasmanian Government continues to support local government reform and has established five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to conduct feasibility studies for 24 of Tasmania’s 29 councils. The MoUs outline the Terms of Reference for each study, joint funding arrangements, and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. The five studies will consider various reform opportunities for:

  • four Greater Hobart Councils;
  • four South East Councils;
  • nine Cradle Coast Councils;
  • eight Northern Councils; and
  • the George Town and West Tamar Councils.

Each study will incorporate reliable evidence upon which councils, in close consultation with the communities jointly served by the State Government, can make informed local government reform decisions. The studies represent some of the largest and most thorough examinations of reform options for various groups of councils ever undertaken in the State. They will consider the potential for, and possible savings from voluntary amalgamations, shared services, fee for service and other reform models considered appropriate.

The SGS Greater Hobart: Local Government Reform Final Feasibility Report January 2017 and the KPMG South East Councils Feasibility Study Final Report September 2016 have been finalised. Participating councils will consider outcomes of the studies and consult with their communities.

The KPMG Northern Tasmanian Councils Shared Services Study Condensed Report July 2017 has been released.

The Cradle Coast Authority Shared Services Project Final Report September 2017 was released 30 November 2017.

The KPMG Tamar Valley Council Feasibility Study- West Tamar and George Town Councils April 2018 has been released.

Subject to two or more councils requesting the Minister to proceed with an amalgamation, the Minister may appoint a Local Government Board to review the amalgamations proposals, as required under the Local Government Act 1993.