Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Local Government spokesperson
The Liberals' relentless war on councils risks local service delivery and increases in rates for Tasmanians.
Local Government Minister, Peter Gutwein's amalgamation agenda is written into all of his actions since taking office.
The Liberals' key planning adviser openly campaigned for years on council amalgamation as Director of the Property Council.
Minister Gutwein refuses to act as umpire in council disputes. He’s left the Glenorchy and Huon Valley Councils to stew for years, and refused to refer matters for independent investigation.
He constructed the charade of the Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry, but is now making a mockery of acting on its findings.
Minister Gutwein refused to help TasWater fix the State's ageing water and sewage infrastructure. The cost of living for Tasmanians is set to rise due to expected sewerage, water and rates hikes.
Minister Gutwein leaves councils in an impossible situation. They will be forced to pass on the costs to their ratepayers, or cut services.
The Minister read local councils the riot act at the recent LGAT conference. Now he's demanded they keep rates low, despite a yawning income gap that is not of their making.
Local Government can't win under the Liberals. Ratepayers will be forced to foot the bill for Peter Gutwein's amalgamation agenda, and only property developers will benefit.