Mick Tucker: it's time for councils to consider voluntary amalgamations
Mick Tucker, Break O'Day mayor
With many regional councils like ours facing an ageing and flat-lining or declining population, we have to consider the long-term sustainability of the current 29 municipal area model.
In 1993 amalgamations occurred and the sun came up the next day. This involved 46 LGAs becoming 29 LGAs and included combining the Portland and Fingal LGAs to become Break O'Day.
I have a different perspective that, I believe, can enhance council operations and potentially make the community feel more comfortable with the idea of amalgamations, that is boundary adjustment.
For example three council areas could use boundary adjustment and become two councils; this is still amalgamation.
Simply put, we need to examine whether the lines on a map are as relevant today as they were when amalgamations last happened.
We need a holistic approach that looks at the natural movement of the population in different areas, where they are accessing services, where there are synergies between areas like industry and community sentiment as well as what other growth has occurred since 1993.
Times have certainly changed since LGAs were formed in Tasmania, and even since amalgamations in 1993, for example we have increased access to information via online platforms, and there are more ways to resource share.
With this in mind, I would like to see voluntary amalgamations and voluntary boundary adjustment looked at more seriously within local government and I urge councillors to start these conversations with their communities.
Change in this space, I believe, needs to be pushed by the community.
As an example, Break O'Day Council in 2017 contracted KPMG to provide a report examining boundary adjustment with Glamorgan-Spring Bay which would see Break O'Day acquire the area from Denison River to the top of Cherry Tree Hill including Freycinet Peninsula and Bicheno; Sorell would then take the bottom half creating two from three LGAs.
This area was selected because of the natural synergies between the areas, like coastal location and a strong dependence on tourism.
This study didn't happen in isolation. At the time a study also examined options involving Sorell, Tasman, Clarence City and Glamorgan-Spring Bay councils amalgamating. .
The KPMG report found that there would actually be savings for councils if this was to occur. But this is dependent on basic infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. There were other benefits too. Modelling showed there were: no staff losses, greater efficiencies with council operation, increased opportunities for resource sharing and an increase in council presence.
This increased presence came from examining having a council shop front in Bicheno with managers and staff available certain days of the week as well as being able to utilise video teleconferencing like Skype services.
Based on our own research and community consultation from GSB, boundary adjustment is largely supported in the GSB area. In talking to residents and business owners in the area, they have told me they already travel north to our area for many services including many students travelling to our area for school and sport, as well as residents traveling for shopping and other services.
The most common reason I hear people talking against amalgamations is due to their fear of not being represented locally. I can understand this however, there is a simple solution, and no I am not talking about a ward system as I am not a believer that system works. I believe representatives of an area need to work for the whole area to ensure a genuine understanding of the issues and strong have connection with their community. .
Based on the election process we have in place now which, is based on quotas, if we did end up with the proposed boundary adjustment with GSB we could end up with at least two councillors from the area. This comes from the modelling of the KPMG report which found we would gain an additional 1300 plus rate payers.
Based on the last election return rate of 72.14 per cent and quota of around 400, if we use the votes at the ballot box, this would deliver two councillors for the area.
I am a big believer in community which is why I became involved in local government, and I also believe that any good local government representative worth their salt will listen to their community as we are elected to serve our community and there is no room for self-serving politics.
Whilst you will never be able to please everyone no matter what you do, we must look to the future and make sure we can deliver long term sustainable councils and as it stands, I am not convinced that small councils will remain viable and relevant in the future if we do not start examining ways to counter challenges like population decline and an increase in the age of our population
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Vision 2020: Break O'Day mayor Mick Tucker
shares strategies
MARCH 4 2020
MOMENTUM: The main economic priority for the Break O'Day council this year is to maximise employment outcomes and build the economic strength of the region.
Break O'Day mayor Mick Tucker is excited about what 2020 will bring the municipality with business confidence and tourism growing rapidly
"During the last 24 months we have seen more than $15 million of tourism development in our area as well as three well established and iconic accommodation businesses change hands," Councillor Tucker said.
"We look forward to supporting these businesses and seeing them develop in the coming 12 months."
The main economic priority for the council this year is to maximise employment outcomes and build the economic strength of the Break O'Day area.
"This comes not only through infrastructure project initiatives but also through addressing the barriers we experience that hinders growth in our area, like remoteness.
"Recent work undertaken through the Jobs Action Package involving the Tasmanian Government, TasCOSS and TCCI provide a place-based solution, which we can implement that tackles these challenges. This work dovetails nicely with the previously completed Break O'Day Skills Audit."
Councillor Tucker said Break O'Day's main priority for 2020 was to develop St Helens as a mountain bike destination that offers access to world-class mountain trails in an iconic location.
"With the first stage of the trails opening in November 2019 and further trails coming on line in the first half of 2020, our focus is very much on developing visitation and the experience of visitors to the Break O'Day area," he said.
"Through close engagement with the local businesses community, including infrastructure partnerships, we are very focused on ensuring that we maximise the employment outcomes and economic growth from this game-changing project.
"We have developed and introduced a number of initiatives for the St Helens Mountain Bike Trails, which have gained fantastic support from the business community in particular and the broader community in general, including business information sessions that all in the community are welcome to attend. These are always very well attended. We have also used these information sessions to bring service providers to our area to network with businesses."
With the first stage of the trails opening in November 2019 and further trails coming on line in the first half of 2020, our focus is very much on developing visitation and the experience of visitors to the Break O'Day area.Break O'Day mayor Mick Tucker
Councillor Tucker said tourism was Break O'Day's largest industry and 2020 would be an interesting year but not without challenges. "Normally we would expect it to be a very strong year with the mountain bike project diversifying our offering and extending the visitation season, after all the middle of winter at St Helens is a great time to mountain bike," he said.
However, he said the emergence of coronavirus was going to have an impact given the Asian market travels through the area.
"The coronavirus is already having an impact on our aquaculture industry as seen with the rock lobster industry and we anticipate this could also impact our oyster farms.
Councillor Tucker said agriculture would also have a tough year given the drought conditions throughout the council area.
However, the council is very excited about the level of confidence and excitement in the local business community, both existing and potential new businesses, due to the mountain bike community.
"Upgrading of accommodation infrastructure and new businesses starting is a sign of the confidence in the local community," he said.
"Meeting new people who have just moved to the area because they see the opportunity is very satisfying."
Councillor Tucker reflected on the decade that had just gone.
"We have developed the council into a solid well-performing organisation which is kicking goals for our local community, such as a brand new hospital at St Helens," he said.
"The extent of external funding support we have secured for community and Council projects has been a pleasant and welcome surprise." By the end of the decade Break O'Day wants to have a vibrant and caring community where everyone has a roof over their head and can afford to live in our area.
"Our young families have a great future and our youth have job opportunities and careers they can pursue in our area."
- 2020 Vision is a partnership between Northern Tasmania Development Corporation and its member councils to highlight their economic development plans for the year ahead.
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