Michael Ferguson,Minister for Local Government and Planning
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is leading a collaborative approach to Local Government reform and I welcome the release of the Review Roadmap by the Local Government Board which begins the community engagement process on the Future of Local Government Review.
Local Government will play a critical role in our State’s recovery effort, and the performance of the sector is vital to the future of the Tasmanian economy and the wellbeing of Tasmanian communities.
The Tasmanian Government has commissioned the Local Government Board to undertake a broad review into the future of local government in Tasmania which will enable all Tasmanians to have the opportunity to have their voice heard in the Future of Local Government Review.
The review will look at the fundamentals of the local government system, the role it should play in supporting communities, the services it should be delivering, and the most effective ways of doing so.
Everyone has a stake in local government and its future. Whether it’s waste collection, footpaths, roads or parks, every Tasmanian relies on local government services every day. However, Tasmania is changing, and we want to be sure that our system of local government can adapt to these changes and can continue providing the local services we all need well into the future.
The engagement program will involve a range of state-wide consultation and engagement activities with stakeholders and the broader community. Pop-up stalls will begin appearing in communities around the State in March, followed by community workshops in April and May. A series of forums will look at specific local government themes. There will also be an online portal where people can present their ideas and aspirations for the future of local government.
Following the review, the Board will recommend reforms that they believe are needed to deliver a local government sector that can meet the challenges and opportunities that Tasmanians will face in the coming decades.
This is a historic opportunity to set up our system of local government for the future, and collaboration will be critical to the success of this review which is why the input of Tasmanians is so valued and important.
The Government looks forward to continuing to work with the sector to develop a suite of meaningful reforms that will deliver genuine, positive outcomes for Tasmania.
The Review will run until June 2023 and is being undertaken by the Local Government Board which is comprised of eminent Tasmanians with decades of experience and wisdom between them.
