Latest Update

15 November 2007

Local Government rejects Statewide model

LGAT Media Release - Local Government Water and Sewerage Reform

The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) has called on all parties for a commitment of $350m of Federal funding for the delivery of water and sewerage services across Tasmania.

In response to government calls for structural and regulatory reform and the Treasurer statement that the status quo will not continue, Local Government has been investigating models for the delivery of water and sewerage services,

said President Mike Gaffney.

It has become quite clear that, whatever model is adopted, any reform will come at a huge cost to the community, unless there is a major injection of funds,

he said.

Funding is needed by all regions otherwise the current inconsistency in services and standards across the state, which the reform is seeking to address, will continue.

Mayor Gaffney said that councils are very concerned about the potential impact of these reforms on the long-term viability of councils and the delivery of works and services to their communities and passed a motion that reinforced Tasmanian councils need to be left in a financial state that maintains their viability following any reforms.

Local Government strongly rejects the option of a single statewide model and considers that the delivery of water and sewerage services should be delivered by three regional entities owned by Local Government and it is this model that we are vigorously pursuing,

he said.

At yesterday's meeting, councils also agreed upon an eleventh principle to be added to the ten principles for structural reform established previously by the State Government's taskforce - 'that Local Government regional water and sewerage authorities/corporations pay both dividends and equivalent tax payments to member councils as occurs now for joint bulk water authorities'.

Ends…

For interviews or further information, please contact
Mayor Mike Gaffney on 0409 015 253.