Economy
Long-serving Mayor resigns over council merger issue
Carmel Torenius. ABC pic
After nearly two decades as Mayor of Sorell, Carmel Torenius has tendered her resignation in the
wake of a push to spend $4.5 million of ratepayers’ funds on new Council Chambers at a time when
merger discussions are being held with neighbouring Clarence.
Former Mayor Torenius said by pushing ahead with the construction of the new premises, she now
believed that Council had no desire to assess the benefits of a merger with Clarence City Council.
“At a time when every other organisation in Tasmania has been asked to rationalise and find cost
savings, it is very disappointing that local government insists it has the right to the status quo,”
Former Mayor Torenius said.
“I didn’t believe my request to Council to defer the construction of the new Council Chambers until
the outcome of a report on the benefits of a possible merger was an unrealistic request.
“The plans had initially included branches of the State Library and Service Tasmania, however, this
didn’t eventuate and I didn’t support the development solely for the purpose of re-housing Council.”
Former Mayor Torenius said she had initiated the merger talks, following the results of a community
survey conducted by Council, revealing half of the respondents wished to merge with Clarence.
“The Council now appears to be ignoring the wishes of the majority of our residents,” she said.
“While Local Government reform in Tasmania remains a decision of the elected members, self
interest will always win out.
“It is a very sad day for me, but I cannot sit by and support a $4.5 million development for new
Council Chambers when we are looking at the benefits of merging with Clarence.”
Former Mayor Torenius has been in her role for the past 18 years, becoming the first female Mayor
of Sorell in 1994, but was first elected to council in 1991.
In her role as Mayor, she initiated the new road (Old Forcett Rd) into Dodges Ferry, helped develop
the Sorell Village Green and Rose Garden in St George’s Church Grounds and started numerous
Committees, which she now chairs.
She also initiated the Sorell Community Bus, which will offer a two day free service to and from
Primrose Sands and Sorell as well as the extension of the Coal Valley irrigation pipeline into Sorell
and surrounding districts.
She is a member of the Board of the State Fire Commission and Colony 47 Partnership Brokers as
well as Patron to many local organisations.
• Mary Massina: Local government sacrifices one of its own
Tasmanians for Reform (TFR) has expressed its disappointment at the shock announcement of
Carmel Torenius’ resignation as Mayor of Sorell.
TFR Chairperson Mary Massina said the former Mayor had shown great leadership in the local
government reform debate.
“In her role as Mayor, Carmel Torenius has shown great leadership by asking and then acting on
her community’s desire for Sorell Council to merge with Clarence,” Ms Massina said.
“As one of the State’s longest serving mayors, Carmel Torenius’ experience showed that it is
important to listen to what the community is saying and do something about it.
“This is a lesson here for others in local government, to listen to what the community is saying.
“However, it is unfortunate that it would appear self interest has won over the better good of the
community in this circumstance and now we see a long leader lost and with it probably the
opportunity for true reform.
“How many strong leaders in local government representing their ratepayers are going to be
sacrificed on the altar of self interest before the State Government heeds what the majority of the
Tasmanian community wants?
“It’s time for our elected state leaders to do something about local government reform and stop
allowing self interested individuals ensure the status quo remains.
“This is a sad day for local government and the ratepayers of Sorell and TFR thanks the former
Mayor for her leadership, integrity and strength of conviction in wishing to see her community’s
desires represented and acted upon.”