Letter to editor … on Launceston City Council

Front page Examiner Saturday October 15th. censured Launceston City Council Manager Robert Dobernysky Mayor Albert Van –Zetten UTas Mike Calford announces sponsorship and naming rights for York Park { University of Tasmania }.

This deal was done without any consultation with the elected Aldermen .

At question time L.C.C meeting 17th. October I had to ask City Manager 3 times to get an answer , who authorised deal with Utas.

City Manager response was he did under 62 Local Government Act , which reads functions and powers of General Manager .

62-1g To liaise with Mayor on affairs of the council and performance of its functions.
2 General Manager may do anything necessary or convenient to perform his/or her functions under this or any act.

The City Manager has more power than the elected 12 Aldermen.

I also asked City Manager what financial agreement had been reached with Utas , his reply commercial in confidence.

Ratepayers in all municipalities of the state can know understand why there is so much conflict and friction state wide with councils .

All councils are riddled with restrictions , such as operational { Alderman can not discuss } code of conduct { break rules } mediation { on track } counselling { behaviour } call police and heaps more.

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein should abolish 1993 flawed Local Government Act immediately and implement amalgamation through regional councils North – South – North West , using proven New Zealand model as a base.
Basil J Fitch