Since the end of 2021 the State Government has been undertaking a Review of Local Government project.
The Local Government Board spent nine months in Stage 2 of the Review developing and testing reform ideas, and options they think will deliver a successful and sustainable future system of local government in Tasmania.
They concluded Stage 2 of the project with release of The Future of Local Government Review – Stage 2 – Interim Report. A key finding of the Report was that structural boundary reform would be essential to build local government capability and capacity for the future to deliver greater economies of scale and scope, at least for some services.
As a result, the Report directed that a reduction of the number of Councils will be an outcome of the Review project. The Report identified 9 areas of “community catchment” throughout the state that will be used to organise region-level discussions about how well our existing Councils represent communities of interest.
Stage 3 of the Future of Local Government Review (current)
Stage 3 commenced with the release of the Information Packs on 29 May 2023, in line with the nine Community Catchments Identified by the Board in its Stage 2 Interim Report. An extension of time has been granted for consultation on the third and final stage of the Future of Local Government Review, allowing more time for engagement from Councils and community. Engagement is expected to close on 02 August 2023.
Each Pack puts forward several different scenarios for new local government boundaries and service delivery models that could build scale and capability to improve services, while also better reflecting the way Tasmanians live and work within these communities.
The Huon Valley is in the “Southern Shore Consultation Group” along with Kingborough and Hobart City Councils.
Download the pack:
Southern Shore Community Catchment Information Pack (PDF)
Importantly, the Southern Shore Community Catchment Information Pack contains 3 scenarios for Future Council boundaries and structure (see below for full scenario descriptions):
- Scenario 1 – Establishing two Council areas within the Southern Shores Community Catchment.
- Scenario 2 – Establishing one Council area. This scenario combines the existing Huon Valley and Kingborough Council areas.
- Scenario 3 – Establishing one Council area. This scenario combines the Huon Valley and the majority of the Kingborough Council areas minus Taroona, urban Kingston and its surrounds (to be included within Hobart).
These scenarios are not the only options for reform. They are designed to prompt a discussion about some of the possible pathways available to deliver a more capable and sustainable system of local government. Communities and councils may have their own ideas about how local government could be better organised in their catchments. The Board welcomes alternative suggestions as part of the engagement process.
Ways to Have Your Say
- Provide comment on the Board’s submission page by Wednesday 2 August 2023
- or email submissions.LGBoard@dpac.tas.gov.au.
What to consider
For each of the scenarios, the Board would like you to consider the four fundamental questions:
- What are the strengths?
- What are the weaknesses or challenges?
- Are there any adjustments that could be made to maximise the strengths and minimise the weaknesses?
- Are there any other entirely different scenarios the Board should consider, which would still deliver against the Board’s criteria and structural reform principles.
Feedback is requested by 2 August 2023.
