AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED

All this could turn out to be more and more of the same old, same old. That would be a tragedy! 

There are those who have deemed that their council is next to perfect and "the best council in Tasmania" and we "punch way above our weight". When one hears nonsense like this you know at least two things. 

Firstly, the incumbents are wedded to the status quo – well many/most of them – and they know a soft touch when they have one in their hand. Secondly, after that is exposed, meaningful change is going to be quite difficult albeit that meaningful change is what is needed if approx. $2Billion is to be expended more effectively and indeed more equitably.

Tasmania with a total population about the equivalent of two or three metropolitan suburbs it should be obvious that resources are limited – people, fiscal and physical. Isolation and insulation from the kind of problem solving and civic planning going on in national cum global context where the very foundations of governance models are being tested, challenged and quite often, found wanting. Clearly radical change needs to be embraced.

In Tasmania SECTIONS 62 & 65 of the Local Govt. Act are way past their use-by-date and that is just a starting point from which to launch a revision of the Act. It is time to move on!  It is time to do something rather than announce what it is you will not do.

In order to avoid 'conflicts of interest', councils as a operation, should be precluded from making submissions albeit that individual Councillors/Aldermen should be making individual stand alone submissions. Change, arguably radical change, needs to be not only on the agenda but also a targeted outcome.

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EXAMINER JANUARY 15 2019 - 5:30PM 

https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5851751/public-called-to-have-their-say-on-future-of-local-government/

Tasmanians called to ‘have their say’ on future of 

local government

The government will hold four drop-sessions as part of an initial public consultation 

round for its review of the Local Government Act, acting Local Government Minister

Elise Archer says. Tasmanian residents will have a chance to voice their vision of local

government, with drop-in public consultation sessions planned across the state during 

February.

The public consultation sessions come as part of the government’s review of the Local Government Act – announced in June last year.

That review is expected to seek greater innovation, flexibility and productivity in local government, less red tape, along with increased accountability and transparency in the sector.

Four sessions are slated over one week from February 13, with two sessions for the state’s North, one on the East-Coast, and a final session in Hobart.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Sudden death at Risdon Prison on Monday night
• Fear of 'bad press' makes information difficult to obtain in Tasmania, Freedom of Information academic says
• A new piece of Tasmanian history was uncovered – sort of. What has happened since?

Acting Minister for Local Government Elise Archer said it was “crucial” the legislation governing the sector both reflected “what communities expect” and supported councils to meet those expectations.

“This is an opportunity for the community to speak with the review team, ask questions and have their say on the future of local government,” Ms Archer said.

“The Hodgman Liberal Government recognises the importance of local government and the increasingly complex role it plays in serving and representing local Tasmanian communities.”

Drop-in session details:

• Ulverstone: Wednesday, February 13. 5.30pm-7.30pm. Foyer Room, Wharf Precinct
• Riverside: Thursday, February 14. 5.30pm-7.30pm. Tamar Function Centre, Windsor Community Precinct
• Bicheno: Tuesday, February 19. 4.30pm-7.30pm. Diamond Island Resort, Bicheno
• Hobart: Wednesday, February 20. 5.30pm-7.30pm. RACV/RACT Hotel, Hobart

FOOD TRUCKS IN THE MALL YES OR NO??

Launceston's Mayor in cahoots with the GM have come to realise that they, the Council that is, have 'stuffed up big time' in the Brisbane St. Mall. They have built big, and pent $Zillions and the people are unimpressed with the one dimensional thinking that brought all this about. 

So, it seems that they've had a 'brain fart session' down at Town Hall just to see if they can dig themselves into an even deeper hole. 

NEWS FLASH TO TOWN HALL ... Your are digging the hole you are in much deeper!

Food trucks in the Mall at this point make as much sense as screwing an ash tray onto a motor bike but there we go ... "we need to engage with the community" to demonstrate that "we are trying". .. come on people.

They are indeed 'trying' alright, very trying, and clearly they either lack the wit to see the folly in their proposition or think that anything will do to deflect criticism. By the way, it seems that they have done all this while the Aldermen/Councillors are officially asleep and/or are at the beach – unused as they are to engage with the community even so for the old guard.

There is a long list of reasons why food trucks in the mall is a bad idea, a very bad idea, not the least being the opportunity to 'design in' such an initiative having been missed. AND using SECTION 62 of the Local Govt. in this way is unconscionable behaviour.

SO, if you think any of this important, sign the petition! And if you want to get some signatures yourself get a copy of the petition from a regular rate paying, rent paying 'food shop' near the mall like COFFEE REPUBLIC or email LAUNCESTONPROJECTS@BIGPOND.COM to request a copy to be petition above to be sent to you.