Gutwein let Glenorchy community down by ignoring council

 Minister sat on his hands while things fell apart
 Glenorchy residents deserved better
 Minister must answer questions around costs of inquiry

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein should have acted months ago on the Glenorchy City Council to help mediate in the best interests of ratepayers.

Shadow Local Government Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said while it was clear to even the most casual observer that the council was not doing the best for its ratepayers, Mr Gutwein watched from the sidelines in the style typical of the hands-off Hodgman Government.

“My sympathies lay with Glenorchy residents who deserve a Minister who can help deliver a functional council,” Ms Ogilvie said.
eing met.

“As Minister responsible for all councils, he should have been around the table attempting to sort out the problems and helping the council mediate.

“But – once again after the debacle of the Huon Valley Council – he has shown he is totally incapable of good management of local government, which is very important to the individual strengths of local communities.

“Now that he has asked the council to show the government why it should not be suspended, Minister Gutwein needs to tell Glenorchy ratepayers how much money has been wasted on inquiries to get to this point.

“And once again he needs to be honest with Tasmanians and tell them if this move, like the move on Huon, is the first step toward forced council amalgamations.”
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Local Government and Planning Minister