Gutwein’s war with councils about TasWater takeover

 Motivation for fight is TasWater takeover
 Minister needs to explain how takeover would fix water and sewage problems
 First step on the path to forced council amalgamations
Rogue Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein has today escalated his fight with Tasmanian councils, foreshadowing a take-over of TasWater but refusing to say how that would achieve a solution to the state’s water and sewage issues.
Shadow Local Government Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said the Treasurer had today told the state’s mayors that the government was seriously considering the takeover which would involve seizing $2 billion in assets from councils.
“Just by taking over TasWater, Mr Gutwein is not fixing water and sewage and he is not accelerating desperately required capital works,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“If he intends to take over TasWater, he needs to tell communities whether or not he intends to pay compensation for $2 billion in assets.
“Will he buy the councils out? Will they receive any return on their assets?
“This entire saga has been appallingly handled by Mr Gutwein who picked a fight with our councils when for the past three years he should have been working with them, particularly around water and sewage.
“Clearly the end game is to take away smaller council’s ability to deliver services, leading to forced amalgamations.”
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Local Government and Planning Minister