In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Mayor Barry Easther, President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
At a time when we have seen significant tension between State and Local Governments throughout the country on the subject of Local Government reform, it is refreshing to sit at the table as the President of an Association with the Premier of the State and have a sensible and constructive conversation on the future of Local Government in Tasmania.
Following three years of tumultuous activity with water and sewerage reform, a significant strain was placed on the previously good working relationship with the State Government.
The hard bargaining and negotiations saw the majority of outcomes from the reform in Local Government’s favour, but the speed of the reform and some of the financial predictions upon which the reform agenda were based have left a sour taste in the mouths of many, and some dissipation of trust when it comes to “collaborative arrangements”.
The proposal presented by the Premier seeks to align the reform agenda with the values that he is putting into place for his own government – innovation, sustainability, participation and connectedness.
Amalgamations are off the agenda with the focus to be on the improvement of services, achieving more reliable infrastructure, assessing models and systems of aggregation of services and service delivery and determining which level of government is best placed to deliver particular services.
The intent is to improve outcomes for local communities without impacting on local representation or pushing costs onto Local Government.
Funding will be provided to facilitate the process with work still to be undertaken on the framework within which this activity is to take place. Protocols and funding arrangements need to be developed and understood together with the broad working arrangements.
A series of workshops, discussion papers and working documents are intended prior to the conducting of a convention or symposium in about six month’s time.
This forum will allow for robust and vigorous discussion from all parties and will result in a series of proposals that will then come under more detailed scrutiny and analysis prior to implementation.
The hallmark of the process is collaboration, with Local Government leading and State Government supporting.
It’s a good recipe and hopefully the proof will be in the eating.
