Nearly four years ago, Premier Jim Bacon, established the Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) as a forum to discuss issues of statewide significance between the two spheres of government. The Council meets up to three times a year, with Premier Bacon as chair and nine elected Local Government representatives from various Tasmanian Councils, including the President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Councillor Lynn Mason.
The PLGC is supported by an Officials Committee, again with representatives from State and Local Government. It is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Linda Hornsey.
The PLGC has worked on a number of important issues involving close cooperation of all Councils in Tasmania. Four statewide Partnership Agreements have been signed and are now in the implementation phase.
Simplifying planning schemes
This project is developing common key elements for inclusion in planning schemes. The aim is to develop a more universal and easily understood approach to key elements of planning schemes throughout the State. It is expected that having a more common approach will make planning schemes easier to use for Councils, industry and the community. Six common key elements have been developed and work is progressing on further standard schedules for planning schemes. At the same time, the PLGC will be looking at ways to improve strategic planning that underpins planning schemes throughout the State.
Waste management
This project is facilitating the development and implementation of integrated waste management strategies at a local, regional and statewide level. The aim is for the State and Local Government to work together to address agreed priorities and provide the leadership, strategic direction and coordination needed for waste management to become a high performance, environmentally sustainable and efficient sector of the Tasmanian economy. Focus has been on developing regional approaches to waste management, dealing with controlled wastes and developing and implementing a more uniform approach to waste classification and measurement throughout the State.
Communication and consultation
The project aims to improve the communication and consultation between State and Local Government in Tasmania. Further details are presented below.
Financial reform
This project is focused on reform of financial relations between State and Local Government. Further details are presented below.
As part of its work program, the PLGC is also overseeing the following projects.
- A statewide agreement for young Tasmanians, focusing on youth-specific initiatives from Partnership Agreements linked to relevant benchmarks from Tasmania Together, the State’s 20 year social, environmental and economic plan. (Tasmania Together sets out a vision for the State based on the wishes of the people. It includes 24 goals and 212 benchmarks that were identified as being of most concern to the Tasmanian community during more than two and a half years of consultation.)
- Adoption of a building and constructive training policy to encourage employment of apprentices and trainees within State and Local Government.
