Council Welcomes Government Commitment to No Forced Mergers
Posted on July 17, 2023
Northern Midlands Council Mayor Mary Knowles has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to no forced amalgamations.
Mayor Knowles said it was very re-assuring that both the Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Minister for Local Government, Nic Street, had clarified the State Government’s position on forced amalgamations and re-affirmed the promise of former Premier Peter Gutwein two years ago.
Northern Midlands Council had taken a clear stance that it would fight any changes to its present boundaries or merge with neighbouring councils along the lines of proposed Community Catchment scenarios outlined in the Local Government Review Board’s Stage 2 Interim Report. The Board is scheduled to hand down its final report on October 31, 2023.
“We very much welcome Minister Street’s announcement that each council will be invited to review the final report and make a submission to the Government about what we want and that residents will get a vote on any plans agreed by Council,” Mayor Knowles said.
“We are in a strong financial position with assets including property, infrastructure, plant and equipment of some $390 million, a balanced long term operating budget, cash to cover our commitments and a capital works budget to expand and maintain infrastructure assets into the future.
“One of the major employment hubs located next to the Launceston Airport and within the Northern Midlands municipality, the TRANSlink commercial and industrial precinct, is going from strength to strength.”
“Council is also concerned that property owners would face a rise in rates under any of the Board’s proposed boundary change or merger scenarios.
“For those reasons, Council cannot see any benefit for Northern Midlands residents from participation in mergers or boundary changes,” Mayor Knowles said.
“Nevertheless, we are fully committed to listening to the community on these matters so we urge all residents to take the opportunity to complete the “survey” from Monday 17 July to Saturday 29 July at https://surveys.emrs.com.au/wix/p183503853102.aspx and have your say about the Local Government Review Board’s proposal to disband the Northern Midlands Council,” she said.