Customers presenting to the service counter at George Town Council may have business with Council or they may be seeking service from State or Commonwealth Departments. For 18 months, the three spheres of government have operated from the same location with two counters at the George Town Council Service Centre in the Council Chambers.
Two customer service staff from Service Tasmania handle enquiries for all Council and State Government functions as well as the Commonwealth’s Centrelink service. Community Development Officer, Leanne Hurst, said this saves the duplication of many services that both Council and Service Tasmania were delivering.
“This has saved money for Council by freeing up staff to work in other areas,” she said. “In addition, there is more counter space, it is easier for us to deliver good customer service and we have access to Service Tasmania’s information technology.”
For residents, it means far less travelling time and the opportunity to deal with all government enquiries at the one point. “For many people this saves the need to drive to Launceston,” Leanne Hurst said.
“If they are at all confused about which government department they should be dealing with, it does not matter because all queries can be managed at the one point and referred to the correct place.” In the future, it is possible that the co location of the three customer service centres could enable better liaison between the services.
For further information contact Leanne Hurst, telephone (03) 6382 1211
