The Tasmanian Liberal Government is getting on with the job of strengthening our local government sector to ensure it delivers for all Tasmanians.
Minister for Local Government, Nic Street, said the Chair of the Local Government Board, the Hon. Sue Smith AM, has provided him with the Future of Local Government Review’s Stage 2 Interim Report on 31 March 2023.
“The Report outlines the substantial work the independent Board has undertaken during Stage 2 of the Review. I want to acknowledge in particular the extensive program of community engagement and research undertaken to identify, develop, and test reform options for our local government sector,” Minister Street said.
“The Report also sets out how the Board will approach the development of its final recommendations.
“As I have made clear to every council that I have visited since the beginning of the year, I will take some time to consider the Report and I will then brief my Cabinet colleagues on it.
“I look forward to joining Ms Smith to publicly release the Report, prior to publication on 19 April 2023 at which stage community and council consultation will commence.
“This is undoubtedly a crucial stage in the Review and I strongly encourage all Tasmanians to get involved, so that we can build a system of local government that can meet the challenges and seize the opportunities we will face in the decades to come.
“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Member for Pembroke, Mr Edmunds, and Tasmanian Labor have now confirmed that they are opposed to the Future of Local Government Review.
“Instead of engaging in the process, the Shadow Minister for Local Government has proven he has nothing of value to add to this important reform agenda which will make the local government system more capable, effective, and sustainable.
“Only someone who has no comprehension of the portfolio, and deliberately refuses to engage with the Review would think that the Government is going to formulate its response to a nine-month body of work in four days.”
Minister Street thanked the Board for its work to date.
