An informal group of concerned citizens, ratepayers and residents convened a public meeting at the Tramshed Function Centre last Tuesday evening February 9 at 7 PM.
The Mayor and Aldermen were invited to attend. Two Aldermen were in attendance, Ald. McKendrick and Ald. Sands, and their attendance was very much appreciated by those present.
Importantly, the meeting was a community meeting, initiated and funded by a growing network of concerned community members living and conducting businesses in the Launceston municipality.
The meeting was facilitated and chaired Hon Rosemary Armitage MLC. As chairperson she ably maintained the independence and integrity of the meeting throughout its proceedings.
Those attending the meeting represented a broad cross section of the community all of whom were provided with the opportunity to freely engage and contest a wide range of issues that emerged during the meeting.
A diverse range of views were presented and discussed. After considerable deliberation the meeting resolved to move just one motion. It is as follows:
“That this group of people identifying themselves as ratepayers and residents of the City of Launceston calls upon Council to rescind the Motion passed by full Council Meeting 9th November 2015 Item 20-20.1 To transfer land known as Willis Street Car Park and old Velodrome site at Inveresk to UTas for free gift.”
Furthermore, it was requested that Council respond to the meeting via a media release within 30 days.
The meeting resolved that a number of issues and proposed resolutions should be set aside for further consideration following Council’s response to this meeting’s submission to Council as advised here.
Among the issues set aside were:
• That the land being offered to UTas be placed on the open market with a reserve price of $5 million;
• That Council adopt a policy that all assets surplus to Council requirements be sold on the open market as well as being advertised Tasmania wide and nationally;
• That Launceston City Council and Taswater reject any development in the Inveresk and Invermay areas that adds to the sewerage and stormwater load being handled by pumping stations sending sewerage and stormwater to the Ti-Tree Treatment Plant.
Given the current state of affairs it is anticipated that other consequent issues may well emerge that will warrant community action to protect the interests of Launceston’s citizens.
The group that convened the meeting have agreed to continue to liaise with the growing network ‘concerned citizens’ on these and related issues.
Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government
Review of Local Government Act
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to improving the efficiency and governance of local government and reducing costs to ratepayers.
Today I announce a targeted review of the Local Government Act 1993 which is timely given current community concern over how some councils are managing their affairs.
How and why some councils make their decisions are under the microscope at the moment and our review of the Act is precisely aimed at improving governance arrangements within our councils.
Local Government must be efficient and effective and deliver good value for ratepayers if we want to make Tasmania the best place in the country to live, work, invest and raise a family.
This targeted review of the Local Government Act will ensure the legislative framework for local government is effective and efficient, with a focus on governance improvement.
I want everyone interested in local government to have their say and be consulted. I’m sure there are plenty of good ideas out in the community and ultimately we want to deliver a legislative framework that promotes good governance and enables local government to deliver improved services to communities.
A Steering Committee has been established, chaired by Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Deputy Secretary Rebekah Burton and including representatives from the Department’s Local Government Division, the Local Government Association of Tasmania and the Local Government Professionals Australia (Tasmania).
While I expect local government to play a significant role in the review, I also encourage all interested parties, including community groups and members of the public, to participate in the review process.
In a few months’ time I will be releasing a discussion paper outlining a range of ideas identified by the Government, or raised by members of the public and local government, to help inform people who wish to make submissions.I anticipate any necessary amendments to the Act as a result of the review will be introduced to Parliament by May 2017.
The Steering Committee will consider and make recommendations to the Minister in relation to:
– the functions of mayors, deputy mayors and elected members;
– the appointment, functions and powers of the general manager;
– financial management and reporting;
– the functions and powers of the Director of Local Government;
– the functions, powers and procedures of the Local Government Board;
– the functions, powers and procedures of a Board of Inquiry;
– local government elections – electoral rolls, funding and advertising; and
– the reduction of unnecessary administrative requirements.Further information about the review can be found on the Local Government Division’s website: www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/lgd
