Letter to the Editor on amalgamations …

Minister Gutwein’s City deal is underpinned by a Greater Hobart Bill (GHB) through which he proposes to merge the strategic decision making of the 4 Hobart area councils into a Greater Hobart Committee (GHC).

The GHC, chaired by Peter Gutwein will determine, but not fund, the strategic work plans for the councils.

Clause 6 of the Bill creates a supercommittee of 4 Government Ministers and the 4 Mayors, with Minister Gutwein as the Chair. Effectively the Government has equal voting with the Mayors.

When the Committee cannot agree unanimously, Clause 10(2), Minister Gutwein as the chair can approve the plan, or amend it as he sees fit. This is too much power for one person.

I support amalgamations, but this Bill virtually abolishes Local Government.

I do not object to abolishing the third tier of Government, but then it should be state-wide, not just in Hobart.

The Greater Hobart Bill (GHB) is more like GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm).

At tonight’s Clarence Council meeting, I will move a number of comments on this Bill that will stry to redress the proposed power imbalance in this pseudo partnership.