The Hodgman Government has supported a number of councils to model the benefits and impacts of voluntary amalgamation and/or resource sharing.
The first study to be released included a number of scenarios involving councils in the south east of Tasmania.
Last month the Tasman and Sorell Councils indicated that, following extensive consultation with their respective communities, the councils wish to further investigate a possible amalgamation and requested that the Government establish a Local Government Board to review the benefits and impacts of a voluntary amalgamation of the two councils.
The Government has agreed to their request and a Local Government Board will be established as soon as possible.
I welcome the request from the respective councils for this work to be undertaken noting that the Government has a strict policy of no forced amalgamations.
Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government
