Zucco Blasts Waste of Time Amalgamation Poll

Hobart City Alderman Marti Zucco focuses on the urgent need for local government reform in Tasmania, specifically advocating for the voluntary amalgamation of Hobart City Council and Glenorchy City Council.

Zucco’s two media releases in the past two days reveal his frustration with the Hobart City Council’s decision to pursue an elector poll without first establishing a working framework for amalgamation, which he argues is a waste of ratepayer money and a politically self-serving maneuver designed to fail.

Media release – Marti Zucco, Hobart City Alderman, 25 November 2025

Elector poll without amalgamation framework a waste of time and ratepayer money

Hobart City Council’s decision last night to go with an elector poll on amalgamation with Glenorchy City Council will be a complete waste of time and ratepayer money without firstly having a round table discussion to develop a framework showing how an amalgamated council would work.

Hobart Alderman Marti Zucco said an elector poll, as the condition for Glenorchy to agree to, was a one-sided demand that was unreasonable and was simply designed to kick the decision-making down the path, rather than firstly investigating how to proceed forward.

“Yes, ratepayers need to be informed about how an amalgamated Hobart and Glenorchy Council would function, what the cost savings would be and how services would be delivered. But there are already two reports on the table, one in 2017 and the latest in 2023, which would provide enough information for Hobart and Glenorchy to participate in common sense discussions without the need for Glenorchy to have to agree to an elector poll first and foremost.

“Clearly by asking Glenorchy to agree to an elector poll, self-interested Hobart City Councillors are hoping see it fail”.

Alderman Zucco said his motion to begin discussions with Glenorchy on amalgamation would have provided the necessary foundation for meaningful consultation with ratepayers. It would have been the first step in developing information that ratepayers would need to make an informed decision.

“My motion called for Hobart City to show leadership by having discussions with Glenorchy and working out the benefits and cost savings of amalgamation. That’s the framework ratepayers need before they can make an informed decision,” he said.

“Instead, Council has decided to waste everyone’s time with a poll that could fail if Glenorchy fails to agree to the HCC demands. This is not cohesive manner to commence discussion.  It’s a predictable outcome designed to maintain the status quo.”

Alderman Zucco said the decision was particularly frustrating given the financial pressures facing ratepayers.

“Tasmania has 29 general managers, 29 finance departments, 29 HR teams and 29 IT systems serving fewer than 600,000 people.

“Auckland’s amalgamation delivered NZ$300 million in annual savings within five years. Those are real benefits that could transform the cost of local government for Hobart ratepayers, but they’ll never see that information in this poll”.

Alderman Zucco said Hobart City had squandered an opportunity to lead meaningful reform.

“With all the evidence and research available on successful council amalgamations, Hobart City could have demonstrated leadership by working with Glenorchy to develop a compelling case for reform. Instead, councillors have chosen a path that wastes time, wastes money and wastes an opportunity to give ratepayers the information they deserve,” he said.

“This is political self-preservation masquerading as community consultation. This process will fail and that’s exactly what they’re counting on. It allows them to say they consulted while ensuring nothing changes”.

Alderman Zucco said ratepayers would ultimately bear the cost of Council’s failure to act.

“The financial pressures driving the need for reform won’t disappear because Council wasted time with a meaningless poll. Rates will continue rising, duplication will continue costing millions and ratepayers will continue subsidising a governance structure that serves 29 councils instead of 600,000 Tasmanians,” he said.

“Last night was a wasted opportunity for leadership. Council had the chance to do the work with Glenorchy meaningfully as two equal partners in a commonsense discussion to develop the framework and give ratepayers real information. Instead, they’ve chosen to waste time with a poll designed to preserve their positions. That’s deeply disappointing and a dictatorial approach by the HCC”.

Media release – Marti Zucco, Hobart City Alderman, November 23, 2025

Marti Zucco to move Council amalgamation motion Monday – Economies of Scale Key to rate relief for ratepayers

Hobart City Council Alderman Marti Zucco will move a motion on Monday evening to initiate discussions with Glenorchy City Council about voluntary amalgamation, citing compelling evidence that consolidated local government delivers significant cost savings and rate relief for ratepayers.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” Zucco said.

“Hobart ratepayers have experienced Australia’s second-highest rate increases over the past decade at 46%, with average properties now paying $4300 annually.

“Meanwhile, Brisbane City Council serves 1.36 million residents with average rates of just $2000 annually.”

The motion calls for Hobart City Council to confirm its willingness to proceed with voluntary council amalgamations, write to Glenorchy City Council to initiate preliminary discussions, and seek State Government advice, assistance and funding for any transition process.

Alderman Zucco points to successful amalgamations in Auckland and the efficiency of larger councils like Brisbane and Bendigo as proof that economies of scale deliver tangible benefits.

“Tasmania’s 29 councils employ 29 general managers, 29 finance departments, 29 HR teams, and 29 IT systems, all serving fewer than 600,000 people. That’s a smaller population than Brisbane alone, which operates with one consolidated administration,” he said.

“When Auckland consolidated seven councils in 2010, the transition cost NZ$200 million. Within five years, they were saving NZ$300 million annually. Those savings flowed directly to ratepayers”.

A merged Council of Clark representing around 100,000 residents could negotiate contracts for waste collection, road maintenance, and grounds maintenance at volumes commanding genuine bulk discounts.

Larger councils can employ dedicated specialists in civil engineering, traffic engineering, urban design, and heritage conservation, rather than generalists managing multiple portfolios.

Enterprise software costs similar amounts whether serving 50,000 or 100,000 residents. Larger councils spread these costs across broader bases, achieving dramatically lower per-capita expenses.

Merging two councils eliminates duplication of CEO positions  executive teams and administrative functions, saving millions annually.

Alderman Zucco said Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey has publicly supported amalgamation, creating an opportunity for both councils to work cooperatively.

“A merged entity’s economies of scale would moderate rates for both communities below their individual trajectories,” he said.

“Glenorchy ratepayers would access Hobart’s sophisticated services and infrastructure management, while Hobart ratepayers would benefit from eliminated administrative duplication.”

The motion proposes voluntary discussions with State Government support to ensure transitions protect ratepayers while capturing long-term savings.

“The alternative is maintaining unsustainable rate increases while infrastructure needs grow,” Zucco said.

“Ratepayers deserve better. Amalgamation offers the path to lower rates, better services, and financial sustainability.”

“Amalgamation is about  modernising Local Government for the next 100 years rather than the colonial horse and cart model of the past 100 years”

The motion will be debated at Monday night’s Hobart City Council meeting.