The constant beating of the Local Government Reform drum is tiresome and counterproductive,
Local Government Association of Tasmania President, Mayor Barry Easther. said
today.

“There are enough issues for the community to ponder about the way State Government
services and functions operate without trying to confuse the issue by bringing Local
Government into the State election debate.”

“Councils are not manifestations of themselves – they exist to represent local communities and
to ensure that the interests and service provision to those communities is provided and
maintained.”

“Councils do not simply exist to hinder business and developers. Local Government has a
range of statutory functions that are derived from State legislation. It is the role of Local
Government to administer and uphold these regulations and rules to ensure that the health,
well-being and amenity of the whole community are well served.”

“If there are problems with the legislation or the system then perhaps that needs to be fixed
rather than creating a massive upheaval that would result from structural reform of Local
Government.”

Local Government is the heart of many communities and when there is a downturn in a
particular area through business closure of industry restructuring, it is the local council on the
front line looking to assist and support those in the community that have lost jobs and
livelihoods. Councils play a major role in facilitating business start-ups and investment
attraction.

Of course there are rules by which developers must abide but that is not intended to hamper
business but to clearly enunciate what is acceptable to the broader community of interest.

As for claims of inefficiency in the management of roads and other infrastructure, there is
simply no argument to demonstrate that fewer councils would deliver better outcomes or
indeed that the current arrangements are not delivering the best outcomes for local
communities.

“This selfish, self serving drive by a small component of the business sector is unfortunate and
counterproductive. At a time when the state needs all sectors to be working together it is a
pity that the knockers can’t see their way clear to work together with Local Government to
address issues rather than trying to destroy its very foundations at every opportunity”, said
Mayor Easther

“Councils have embraced planning reform and water and sewerage reform and undertaken
significant internal asset management and financial reforms in the past 5 years. Local
Government does not fear reform but it would prefer to work collaboratively on problems that
actually exist rather than beat ups prompted by self interested lobby groups.”
LGAT President, Mayor Barry Easther