The Tasmanian Government has 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 will focus on the roles and functions of local government, not the performance of individual Councils.
It aims 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 covers:
- 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).
The review is anticipated to take 18 months and will be broken in to three, six month stages.
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 Future of Local Government Review - Final Report was issued on 16 November 2023.
The Final Report can be viewed here: Final Report
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
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