The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) has submitted its State Budget Priority Statement for 2025-26 to the Tasmanian Government.
In a statement, LGAT President, Mick Tucker said the Association has asked the government to work with LGAT on supporting councils to better appreciate and plan for local population changes and also establish a central pool of planners to support councils when their local resources are stretched.
“We also asked for funding to expand CCTV coverage and continue our health and wellbeing program,” said President Tucker.
“Additionally, we are seeking funding to support the transition of the Government’s Learning and Development Framework (the Framework) for elected representatives across to LGAT.”
President Tucker said that at the December Premier’s Local Government Council meeting, the Government indicated that it felt it was appropriate for the operation of the Framework to be handed over to LGAT, with administration to be transitioned at the start of 2025 and full financial responsibility, through councils, beginning in July 2025.
“While LGAT’s General Management Committee was reluctant to take on this additional responsibility, it was acknowledged that our sector having the ability to develop and deliver its own training had many advantages,” he said.
“During the discussion, concerns were raised by some industry members of the planning and approval process, which we were able to support, noting that these issues rest with the legislation and not with councils’ performance in administering it.”
