Tasmania's government has announced that it will not undertake forced council mergers.

An interim report from the Local Government Board, released in April, recommended significant cuts to the number of councils and the redrawing of boundaries. It stated that consolidation would require government mandates as voluntary amalgamations were unlikely. 

However, the government's decision was met with resistance from smaller councils who have vowed to oppose forced mergers. 

While the final report is due in October, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has already confirmed that there will be no forced amalgamations, putting an end to fears and uncertainties surrounding the issue. 

Local Government Minister Nic Street says there is still a need for reform, but assured Tasmanians that changes would only occur with council and community approval. 

The review will continue, with the government involving councils and communities in shaping the future of local government through discussions and community votes on proposed plans. 

Some critics argue that voluntary mergers have been unsuccessful in the past due to community resistance rooted in values-based notions of place and local identity.