Minister for Local Government, Nic Street, has today announced he will be extending the timeframe for consultation on the third and final stage of the Future of Local Government Review to allow for a more intensive engagement process with the sector.
“I have agreed to the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s request for Government support in the form of additional time and funding to help it coordinate council submissions across the nine community catchments identified by the Board in its Stage 2 Report,” he said.
“I have always said positive and lasting reform is most likely to succeed where the sector is actively involved in the co-design of any proposals.
“I believe the LGAT proposal reflects a level of genuine intent and goodwill from the sector to invest the time and effort to consider sensible, practical, and achievable structural reform options.
“I have written to the Local Government Board requesting that it extend its current engagement timeframe by six weeks to 2 August 2023.
“I have also decided to extend the Board’s final reporting date by one month, to 31 October 2023, to accommodate the additional engagement period so the Board still has enough time to formulate its recommendations.
“There is no doubt the Review is contemplating some very important and complex reform proposals for Tasmania’s system of local government.
“If providing some additional time is what is necessary to help the sector work with the Board as a genuine partner in reform design, then I am more than happy to support that.”
LGAT President and West Tamar Mayor, Christina Holmdahl, welcomed the announcement from Minister Street.
“To date, our sector has engaged very constructively with the Review and this willingness remains,” she said.
“The original timeframe provided by the Board was not sufficient for councils to meaningfully participate at this critical stage of the Review.
“We are pleased the Minister has responded positively to LGATs request for additional time and funding and look forward to working through the further information to be provided by the Board on reform opportunities.”
