Council mergers back on agenda after local government elections
Merging Tasmania's 29 councils has been put back on agenda with the Government saying the community has shifted in favour of reform.
The move has been prompted by a changing of the guard on local councils after last week's local government elections.
The State Government has consistently ruled out forcing councils to amalgamate but will now hold three meetings over the next few months to discuss mergers.
Local Government Minister Peter Guwtein has told Parliament he would back voluntary mergers.
Mr Gutwein said he had been approached by representatives from more than half of the state's councils.
He told Parliament the community's views on having fewer councils in Tasmania had shifted.
"I am convinced there is interest in this occurring because on an informal basis already I've had approached by alderman, councillors and employees of about a dozen local councils," he said.
"Based on feedback from the community and from local government themselves, I believe there has been a shift in community perceptions and a greater awareness of the need for local government reform exists.
"I'll be urging mayors to undertake a significant community consultation as we work through this process."
About 20 years ago the number of Tasmanian councils was cut from 46 to 29 but subsequent governments have not taken on council amalgamation, fearing a political backlash.
Last week, Hobart's newly elected Lord Mayor Sue Hickey suggested there might eventually be only three regional bodies.
A day after election the businesswoman said there were too many councils and she favoured a financial incentive to encourage mergers.
The Opposition is playing down Mr Gutwein's attempt to kick-start the merger discussion.
Acting Opposition Leader Michelle O'Byrne said Mr Gutwein had not gone any further than the previous Labor government.
"What the Treasurer talked today about was councils sharing resources and he talked about councils trying to put arguments about incentives they might get through voluntary amalgamation," she said.
"That's really no different that has been the case for some time."
The local council elections delivered sweeping changes with 14 new mayors elected who will serve a four-year term, rather than the previous two years.
