In the lead up to the State election, Tasmanians for Reform has launched an advertising campaign in
the three daily newspapers as part of its first salvo in the push for local government reform in
Tasmania.
Tasmanians for Reform Chairwoman, Mary Massina, said the advertising campaign, which would run
from now until the State election was a call to arms for Tasmanians to think about the need for
change, if the state was to grow economically.
“The campaign, which will feature prominently on the websites of all three Tasmanian daily
newspapers, is a call to arms for the community to support the need for local government change,”
Ms Massina said.
“No matter how you look at it, much of the structural economic reform needed in Tasmania begins
and ends with local government.
“When it comes to planning, we don’t have a system fit for purpose, which adds to the confusion
and increasing costs of doing business in this state.
“We have 34 entities responsible for our roads and highways, 29 being councils. This leads to a lack
of coordination in the provision and maintenance of road infrastructure.
“Further, the amount of regulations imposed by local government which has rapidly increased in
recent years, makes it even more difficult to compete.
“For example, on the environmental front, each council has a differing approach to approvals,
increasing complexity and costs for investors and home builders alike.”
“If we are to remove red and green tape, an ideal starting point would be to reduce duplication
across local and State Government in areas such as environmental and heritage regulations.
Ms Massina said all political parties now had the opportunity to do something about local
government in Tasmania and pledge to reform.
“For a state of 500,000 people, having 29 councils and 268 councillors is ridiculous,” she said
Ms Massina said Tasmanians deserved better services, improved infrastructure and cheaper rates
from local government, not more of the same.
“The time to change is now.”
Tasmanians for Reform Chairwoman, Mary Massina
