The Tasmanian Government is moving forward with plans to reduce the number of councils. 

The state’s Local Government Board has drafted suggestions for new council boundaries, inviting public input. 

It is likely to trigger a strong response from Tasmanians resistant to the idea of forced council amalgamations.

Tasmania is the smallest state in Australia, but it has 29 individual councils, only two fewer than Melbourne, a city with almost ten times the population of Tasmania. 

This translates to one council for every 18,600 people in Tasmania, compared to one council for every 160,000 people in metropolitan Melbourne.

Tasmania’s Liberal government has historically favoured voluntary amalgamations but seems to be shifting its stance. 

Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who identifies as a “reformist”, has expressed a desire to overhaul local government. 

This sentiment aligns with the ongoing review conducted by the Local Government Board, which recently released an interim report recommending a significant reduction in the number of councils and a redrawn council boundaries.

The board has proposed nine catchments across the state, but these are not the final amalgamation suggestions.

Each group presents up to four potential scenarios. For example, one scenario proposes merging Hobart City Council with Glenorchy and Kingborough, while extending north to include New Norfolk and Brighton. 

This amalgamation would create a very large council by Tasmanian standards with a population of approximately 160,000, constituting 28 per cent of the state's population.

According to the report, a larger council would possess enhanced resources and capabilities to address pressing community needs such as planning, housing, transportation, and climate change mitigation. 

However, it also says it is important to ensure representation for all areas, balancing rates, and avoiding disadvantages for other parts of the state.

In the north, a suggestion involves establishing a council area comprising West Tamar, George Town, and Launceston, while expanding to include surrounding commuting areas. 

The report highlights that 60 per cent of residents in Carrick, Longford, Perth, and Evandale already work in Launceston. It claims that amalgamations could strengthen existing service-sharing arrangements and streamline planning initiatives.

The Local Government Board also encourages councils to explore better resource-sharing practices, recognising that some arrangements may become unnecessary with a reduction in the number of councils.

Community consultation on these proposals will remain open until August 2, and the final report is scheduled for release in late October. 

More details and contact information can be found on the Future of Local Government Review website.