Polling shows Government has mandate on local government reform

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Polling shows Government has mandate on local government reformNew polling figures have shown the State Government continues to have widespread support for its moves to investigate council mergers with over three quarters of the Tasmanian community supporting the need for a Government review. The Property Council of Australia released the EMRS figures on the eve of a visit to Tasmania by respected businessman and former Mayor of Geelong, Frank Costa who is credited with revitalizing the Geelong economy and football club in the wake of Victorian council mergers. Tasmanian Division Executive Director, Brian Wightman said the time for action was now, as the survey results showed not only did three quarters of Tasmanians seek the need for a review, but the vast majority continued to believe there were too many councils, too many councilors and alderman, but just as importantly money could be saved by council mergers. “Since 2010 there has been a continual increase in support for council reform in Tasmania and the figures continue to hold up,” Mr Wightman said. “When asked ‘Do you think 29 Councils for a population of 510,000 people is’ 70 per cent of people say too many, which is up from 67 per cent in February 2013 and a whopping increase of 14 per cent since November 2010. “Similarly, when asked ‘Do you think 263 Councilors and Aldermen for a population of 510,000 is., 73 per cent again answered ‘too many’, while a further 74 per cent agreed ‘councils would save money if they were to merge’.” Mr Wightman said in addition, 69 per cent saw a need for council mergers in Tasmania, while 76 per cent agreed to the State Government conducting a review of the number of councils in Tasmania. “These figures, most of which have been regularly asked over a four year period, show that support for council reform remains strong in the Tasmanian community and in fact demonstrate that support is on the increase,” he said. “The community wants it, the State Government wants it and even many of the councils have expressed a desire for it to happen, so it is time for the State Government to take action on the issue.” Mr Wightman said investors and developers in Tasmania were forced to play by 29 different sets of rules, structures and roles, making investment in the state just about unworkable. “If we want to create jobs and growth in Tasmania, we need to act and we need to see meaningful reform of local government in order to reduce costs and improve service delivery,” he said.Media contact: Brian Wightman |M 0429 073 773 |E [email protected]