Saturday, 26 January 2019

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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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

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

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