There are those who have deemed that their council is quite perfect and is "the best council in Tasmania" and that it "punches way above our weight"and so on! When one hears such nonsense you know at least two things for sure.
Firstly, the people telling you are wedded to the status quo and have their fingers in the pie – well many/most of them – and they know 'a good thing' and a soft touch when they have one in their hand.
Secondly, after that is exposed, meaningful change is going to be quite difficult albeit that meaningful change is what is needed if approx. $2Billion is to be expended more effectively and indeed more equitably.
Secondly, after that is exposed, meaningful change is going to be quite difficult albeit that meaningful change is what is needed if approx. $2Billion is to be expended more effectively and indeed more equitably.
In recent years ratepayers across Tasmania have been dealt a cruel hand in Local Govt. This is especially so with two of the Act's most archaic provisions SECTIONS 62 & 65. Large councils with overblown 'executives' full of their self importance have exploited these provisions to the 'Nth degree'. Interestingly, while curiously compliant 'elected representatives' looked away – given emerging information, Launceston is seemingly still a victim.
GRASSROOTS, and YES MINISTER. the TV shows, are salutary reminders of bureaucratic excess and they're worth a rewatch at times like we are in.
In Local Govt. in Tasmania, this has all happened despite protests out in the community, all of which went unnoticed by 'the government'. As bureaucracy tends to say, in the fullness of time, and in due course, and when the timing is ripe Tasmania is bound to have a ROYAL COMMISSION or JUDICIAL COMMISSION in this area. Then we are likely to see 'players' fleeing to wherever they can find a hiding-hole. Some have already scurried off and have made themselves scarce.
SO, if you have something to say, say it!
But please do it out loud, in writing, and on the record, because as sure as GOD made little apples your contribution at an 'official' community symposium, information session, whatever will pass without notice or left to find its way into obscurity – or even 'the bin'.
Keep in mind the 'politician's mantra', "never go into a meeting unless you are sure of the outcome." This call to 'tell us what you think' exercise has all the bureaucrat–ic hallmarks of that sensibility. Also, remember there are 29 councils out there with good people and scoundrels around their decision making tables working extra hard to keep things just the same.
YOU SEE, there's money in it and there are fingers in the pies, and peopled have skin in the game as they say - and goodness knows whats pies where.
EXAMINER JANUARY 15 2019 - 5:30PM
TASMANIANS CALLED TO ‘HAVE THEIR SAY’ ON FUTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
THE GOVERNMENT WILL HOLD FOUR DROP-SESSIONS AS PART OF AN INITIAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION ROUND FOR ITS REVIEW OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, ACTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER ELISE ARCHER SAYS. TASMANIAN RESIDENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO VOICE THEIR VISION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WITH DROP-IN PUBLIC CONSULTATION SESSIONS PLANNED ACROSS THE STATE DURING FEBRUARY.
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