The Tasmanian Government commissioned the Local Government Board to undertake a Review of the role, function, and design of local government in Tasmania.
What is the Future of Local Government Review?
The review focussed on the roles and functions of local government, not the performance of individual Councils.
It aimed to ensure our system of local government is robust, capable, and ready for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
The scope of the review covered:
- Statutory functions (eg land use planning);
- Service delivery (eg waste management, road maintenance);
- Governance and administration (eg asset management); and
- Community/place-based roles (eg strategic planning, advocacy).
What are the stages of the Review?
Stage 1 – Community engagement, Evidence & fact-finding (January to June 2022)
Focusses on wide community engagement and research to understand what Tasmanians expect from local government and the needs, challenges and opportunities councils will meet in the future.
Stage 2 – Analysing Options (July to December 2022)
Focusses on the identification and development of opportunities for reform, and the testing of these ideas through focussed engagement and further research and exploration.
Stage 3 – Recommending Solutions (January to June 2023 and beyond)
Focusses on the evaluation of options and the delivery of practical recommendations to the Tasmanian Government, along with advice about the implementation of reforms and transition.
Final Report
The Board has handed the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Nic Street MP, the Final Report of the Future of Local Government Review in October 2023.
The Final Report can be viewed here: Final Report
The Board made 37 recommendations on how the current system needs to change so that councils can meet the challenges and opportunities our communities will face in the next 20-30 years.
The Minister carried out a final round of consultation with councils and the community, to help the Tasmanian Government decide whether to make the changes recommended by the Board.
Council's Submissions
As part of their municipal alliance agreement, Latrobe and Kentish Councils have made the following joint submissions to the Local Government Board:
- Stage 1 - Review Theme - Finance and Administration - Shared Services Arrangements - dated 12 May 2022
- Stage 2 - The Way Forward - Priority Reform Areas - dated 9 September 2022
- Stage 2 - Options Paper - dated 17 February 2023
- Stage 3 - Community Catchment Information Packs - dated 28 July 2023
- Response to the Final Report - Opinion on all of the 37 Recommendations within the Final Report
Further information and links:
You can find relevant and up to date information on the Local Government Review on the Tasmanian Government website here: https://www.futurelocal.tas.gov.au/
You can also keep up to date on the latest news in this space via the Future of Local Government Review – Tasmanian Government, Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/futurelocaltas