Ratepayers will be able to PAYG their rates and councils will offer consistent hardship policies under a Labor Government.
Currently many ratepayers are unable to PAYG their rates each month or payday, creating bill shock in a cost of living crisis.
Local and State Government can’t do everything about cost of living but you should do everything you can.
Labor will not force councils to merge. We know it will make rates higher, especially during a cost of living crisis.
Even Minister Nic Street was forced to admit forced mergers will lead to higher rates in his notorious interview on ABC Radio where he said:
“The one thing you will not hear me promise, Leon, is that amalgamations will reduce rates for ratepayers because that simply is not the case. And it’s not been the experience anywhere. We’re not talking about reducing rates … for me this has never been about cost cutting for ratepayers.” – Minister Nic Street
The Liberals spent $3 million on a Local Government Review report that they threw in the bin and after 10 years they have got no solutions for local government other than forced mergers, a loss of local voice and local job losses.
A Labor Government will support councils to thrive into the future by giving them their fair share of the Heavy Vehicle Motor Tax, reestablishing the popular council Partnership Agreements, solving the Liberals’ infrastructure contributions mess and helping develop the local government workforce of the future.
We will invest in council infrastructure to make it more accessible, more fun and future proof.
Labor’s Local Government policy:
- No forced council amalgamations. Unlike the Liberals who spent more than $3 million on a report that lays out their plan for forced mergers, forced mergers will not happen under a Labor Government. Each council area will determine their own future.
- Introducing consistent PAYG rates policies across all Tasmanian councils.
- Introducing a consistent hardship policy across Tasmanian councils.
- A fairer distribution of the Heavy Vehicle Motor Tax funding already collected by Government – doubling it to $3 million so that our regional roads are safe and properly maintained.
- Bring back the popular Partnership Agreements to help with strategic planning, ensure each council has its priorities heard and can properly engage with the State Government’s departments.
- Remove the first-mover disadvantage to get developments going as part of our broader planning policies.
- Work with councils, unions and other stakeholders to establish a sector-wide workforce development program across local government, including developing a program to support traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Protect all candidates by allowing them to authorise materials from their local council office so they don’t have to disclose their home address. This is a barrier to new candidates and is currently only available to incumbents.
- Improve transparency by implementing a planning dashboard to spell out in clear terms the performance of planning authorities and reward councils that perform well with additional funding for local infrastructure.
- Work with the Parliament and local government stakeholders to develop a model for council scrutiny to ensure ratepayers are getting value for money. This transparency measure would highlight issues in local government that may require attention, including cost-shifting, and could help avoid the expense and public inconvenience of boards of inquiry.
Immediate Local Government Assistance Fund – improving the lives of Tasmanians as we work with local councils
As a partner of Tasmania’s councils, a Labor Government will establish fair funding streams to help councils with the challenges that come with population growth, extra density and pressure on infrastructure, delivered over four years, through six key streams:
All-Abilities Access Stream: $2.5 million
This stream will focus on improving existing local government assets to ensure all community members have appropriate access. This includes improvements such as: all access bathrooms, all access car park spaces, all access sporting infrastructure.
Tracks and Trails Stream: $2.5 million
Local councils own some of our states' most sought after walking, running and cycling locations. This steam will allow local councils to create, upgrade and/or maintain new and existing tracks and trails.
Recreation Grounds Irrigation Stream: $2.5 million
Local councils around the state are crying out for improved irrigation systems, which are efficient and provide value for cost. This stream will provide funding to upgrade irrigation systems at council run recreation grounds.
Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Stream: $2.5 million
Local councils play a critical role in combating climate change by working at the forefront of climate mitigation and adaptation across our local communities. This stream would allow local governments to deliver projects which work to reduce natural disaster risk or improve climate resilience.
Beach All-Access Stream: $2.5 million
Everyone deserves to access Tasmania’s pristine beaches. To ensure that beach access is a priority for councils This stream would co-contribute with councils to both pilot and install beach access around Tasmania.
Dogs Recreation Stream: $2.5 million
With strong pet ownership data in Tasmania, pets to be allowed in rentals and a growth in density it is necessary to provide recreation space for the dogs of Tasmania and their owners.
Luke Edmunds MLC
Shadow Minister for Local Government and Planning