Funding Local Government Reform in Tasmania

The Gillard Labor Government will provide up to $1.42 million for three major projects in Tasmania to support local government reform in Tasmania.

The first project will receive $870,000 to help identify savings for local communities by providing local governments with the resources and tools to manage their infrastructure and assets.

As part of this project, Tasmanian councils will be using internationally recognised standards for asset management and will all have long-term financial plans in place.

The second project will receive $400,000 to help Tasmanian local government prepare for the effects of climate change on communities.

This project will use international expertise to assess vulnerability of council areas to climate change and to develop tools and resources to assist councils.

A further $150,000 will go towards an independent review of local governance and service delivery across 12 councils in southern Tasmania.

An expert panel will identify opportunities for joint service delivery and partnerships between councils.

The panel will also investigate issues affecting local government in the future, including community and economic development, public and community health, and sustainable infrastructure provision.

We will deliver funding for these projects through our Local Government Reform Fund.

This Fund, which is part of the Government's new partnership with local government, is aimed at fast-tracking improvements to local government infrastructure asset and financial management and encouraging collaboration between councils.

We are also delivering record funding to local governments through the $1.1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The Gillard Labor Government is working with local and state governments to improve infrastructure and services in local communities across the nation.