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Local Government


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023

The context for this bill, as the minister has stated, is that this bill has come about following the Auditor-General and Integrity Commission's reports.

Vica Bayley MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Oct 2023


City Planners Around Table

Greens Welcome Forced Mergers Decision

The Greens welcome the State Government's decision to rule out any forced amalgamation of local councils.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Jul 2023


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Estimates Reply – Street

I spoke about the Australian Services Union's very reasonable and valid concerns about any reforms and the impacts on local workforces.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  21 Jun 2023


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government – Local Government Reforms

Minister, the local government reforms process is hanging heavy over many local councils and communities.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Jun 2023


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government Amendment (Code of Conduct) Bill 2022

There are a lot of opportunities for suspension before somebody is actually removed for what is obviously very severe behaviour.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 May 2023


City Planners Around Table

Communities Must Have Real Say on Council Reforms

The Tasmanian community must have a genuine say in local government reform, and not be ignored for the sake of the Liberals' development agenda.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Apr 2023


Planning Documents

Ferguson Wrong to Override Clarence Council

Michael Ferguson's intervention to override a planning decision by Clarence City Council is wrong unnecessary, and shows a disdain for democracy

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Mar 2023


Planning Documents

Faulty Local Government Consultation Needs Fixing

The Greens urge Local Government Minister Nic Street listen to calls for extension of the consultation process around the Future of Local Government Review

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Feb 2023


Planning Documents

Future of Local Government Review

The Greens support genuine and accessible community consultation.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Dec 2022


Economy, Finance, Calculator, Pen and Graph

Local Government – LGAT Budget Requests

Minister, I'm sure you are aware of the Local Government Association's Budget priority statement.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government – Number of Councils

Any time you talk to everyday Tasmanians about local government, they scratch their heads about the fact that we have 29 councils.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Local Government – Local Government Legislation Review

We've got revised time frames and scope for the local government legislative review and the original plan was for there to be a final bill.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Preferential Voting, Ballot Paper

Local Government Reform Bill Falls Short

The Tasmanian Liberals’ Bill to amend the Local Government Act to make voting at elections compulsory is welcomed but lacks detail.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  24 May 2022


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Auditor-General's Report into Local Government Recruitment

This is a critical position and the Auditor General's report was very concerning and for some councils it was damning.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Oct 2021


City Planners Around Table

Ida Bay Railway Win

Huon Valley Council’s decision to require Dark Lab’s Transformer project to protect the heritage values of the da Bay Railway is a win for the region's future

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  30 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Collaborative Local Government Reform Process Abandoned by Jaensch

Minister Jaensch’s announcement he is dismantling collaborative, cross-party local government reform discussions is a disgusting display of base politics.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  23 Sep 2021


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Estimates Reply – Minister Jaensch

We had some important conversations about the proposed legislative changes that are coming down the line for local government.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Sep 2021


Man testing water in a river.

Local Government - Environmental Health Officers

Professor Roger Hughes at UTAS has recommended that the workforce needs to be expanded by 25 full time equivalent staff across the state as a high priority.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Sep 2021


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Local Government - KGV Hydrotherapy Pool

Our first concern is that St Giles raised the hire cost of the pool from $55 an hour to $200 an hour, effectively pricing out Arthritis Tas from using the pool.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Infrastructure and Transport - Ministerial Staff Conduct

Do you think it's appropriate to have someone on your staff who spends a fair bit of time in your office self-promoting and trolling the Hobart City Council?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


City Planners Around Table

Go Back to the Drawing Board, Give Locals a Say on Kangaroo Bay

Chambroad Petrochemicals’ announcement it is abandoning plans for a hospitality school, the only aspect of the plan that purported to be in the public interest,

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Jun 2021


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Local Government – Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council Performance

The minister issued a performance improvement direction Notice to the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council in late June this year.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


Bushfire, Burned Forest

Local Government – Draft Bushfire Mitigation Measures Bill 2020

It is the case that many, probably most, councils don't have the necessary fire expertise to undertake this role.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


Construction, Work Site

Local Government – Dorset Council Depot

Serious complaints have been lodged with the Local Government Division about the Dorset Council's illegal construction of a depot on Crown land.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government – Coronavirus Restrictions

During the COVID 19 pandemic we recognised councils have had to make a number of adjustments to the way council meetings are held.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


Corruption, Handing over Envelope

Local Government – Electoral Reforms

The final review report of Tasmania's electoral laws was due to be released in late 2019, but still hasn't been made public.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government – Community Resilience Hubs

The final report from the National Bushfire and Climate Summit this year recommended the establishment and funding of community resilience hubs.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


Public Meeting, Town Hall

COVID-19 - Restrictions on Local Government

We are concerned that local government meetings continue to remain closed to the public, to constituents who have issues to raise.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Nov 2020


Planning Documents

Clarence City Council Must Hand Kangaroo Bay Back to the Community

The Clarence City Council should refuse a further extension of the time for starting construction on the Kangaroo Bay Plan.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Sep 2020


Wind Farm

Major Infrastructure Development Approvals (North West Transmission Upgrades Project) Order 2020

This is a global emergency and reducing our carbon emissions comes from Australia using fewer fossil fuels.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Jun 2020


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government Review

Local Government is a critical level of government for communities. It is the pathway for residents to shape the place they live.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  22 Apr 2020


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government Legislation Review - Phase One

The Tasmanian Greens submission to phase one of the local government legislation review.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Submission  |  1 Mar 2019


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Glenorchy City Council Lets Down Residents on Climate

Glenorchy City Council Alderman, Kelly Sims, is doing the right thing by her constituents in acknowledging the climate emergency.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Oct 2019


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government Legislation Review - Phase Two

The Tasmanian Greens submission to phase 2 of the Local Government Legislation review.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Submission  |  16 Aug 2019


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Estimates Reply - Treasurer

I rise to make some comments on the Budget scrutiny I undertook on behalf of the Greens in relation to local government.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Jun 2019


Hobart, Tasmania

Greater Hobart Bill 2019

All great cities around the world have removed artificial boundaries of municipal areas and enable planning connectivity across municipal boundaries.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 May 2019


Corruption, Handing over Envelope

Gutwein Refuses to Act on Integrity Commission Report into Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council

The Minister for Local Government refused to act on the Integrity Commission report into issues at the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  27 Nov 2018


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2018

Given the number of councils in Tasmania and the time it takes to reach agreement in the local government sector, this is a comprehensive raft of changes.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  22 Nov 2018


Public Meeting, Town Hall

King Island, Issues with Local Council

Unfortunately, it seems like there is downward spiral happening in local government on King Island.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Sep 2018


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Liberals and Labor Ignore Police Warnings on Draconian Clarence By-Laws

The Liberals and Labor voted to support Clarence City Council’s by-laws that allow a crack down on public assembly, protests and even beach cricket. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Sep 2018


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Clarence City Council Public Places By-Law

The Clarence City Council Public Places By-Law banned the organising of, or participation in, an assembly, rally, public speaking or similar activity.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  20 Sep 2018


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Local Government - General Manager's Roll

The general manager's roll for Hobart has closed with 1916 people and businesses, with 589 people who are not Australian citizens being empowered to vote.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Sep 2018


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Gutwein Drops Ball on Anti-Protest, Anti-Fun Clarence Council By-Law

Not only does Minister Gutwein administer the Local Government Act, but the Tasmanian Parliament has the power to disallow the draconian by-law.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  20 Sep 2018


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Water And Sewerage Corporation Amendment (Crown Involvement Facilitation) Bill 2018

I put on the record how disappointing the comments and lack of leadership by the Treasurer have been on this issue over the past 18 months.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Aug 2018


Pile of Woodchips

Courtney Must Withhold Land Consent for Woodchip Port Until After Council Elections

Minister Courtney today confirmed landowner’s consent was being considered by her government for the southern woodchip port. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  3 May 2018


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Greens Release Plan to Strengthen Local Government

The Greens will reform the Local Government Act to strengthen local councils, and protect the governance of our regions and the interests of their communities.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Feb 2018


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Liberals' State Election Positioning at Expense of Democracy

The Minister for Local Government failed to explain why he is ordering a Glenorchy Council election for early January, but leaving the Huon Valley another year.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Oct 2017


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Glenorchy City Council

People in the Huon are asking why the Minister has moved to hold a Glenorchy Council election in January but have not done the same thing for the Huon Valley.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Oct 2017


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Call-In Power Planning Laws Recipe for Corruption

The Liberals’ proposed “call-in powers” opens a pathway to corruption that would lead to the worst planning outcomes for Tasmania.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Aug 2017


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Turnbull Government Australia Day Bullying of Councils

The Turnbull Government is trying to bully Tasmanian councils into bending to the conservatives' ideological will.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  15 Aug 2017


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Liberals Ignore Councils on TasWater

Today’s Local Government Association of Tasmania meeting on the government takeover of TasWater was a forgone conclusion.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  11 May 2017


Air View of Houses

Gutwein Must Rule Out Future Support for Lauderdale Urban Expansion Plan

The Clarence City Council last night rejected a proposal to expand the Lauderdale urban area to a new zone from rural, residential to close residential area.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 May 2017


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Proposed Lauderdale Development a Disgrace

I rise as the member for Franklin with the shadow planning portfolio to voice grave concerns I have about a proposed development in Lauderdale.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Apr 2017


Container Deposit Machine

Strong Council Support for Cash for Containers Scheme

The Greens congratulate Kingborough Council on joining West Coast, Clarence and Launceston City Councils in their support for a container deposit scheme.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Mar 2017


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Gutwein Bullying Councils on Water

Minister Gutwein's options to councils for the funding of water and sewerage upgrades are cynical and politically motivated.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  24 Feb 2017


Public Meeting, Town Hall

$6M Treasury Loan Needs To Be Iced

The financial activities and conduct of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council were called into serious question at last night’s Annual General Meeting.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Dec 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Gutwein Hides From Public On Planning

Twenty community and environment groups are organising a public meeting on Tuesday in Hobart Town Hall.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Nov 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Huon Valley Council and Support for Mayor Peter Coad

I want to speak very warmly on behalf of the many residents I know in the Huon Valley who highly respect Mayor Coad for what he has done for our community.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  20 Sep 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Huon Valley Ratepayers Shouldn't Foot Gutwein's Bill

The Minister for Local Government revealed that he is considering charging the Huon Valley Council with the costs of their mediation process.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  22 Sep 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Huon Valley Residents Suffer Gutwein's Delay

After three months, the Minister for Local Government has finally taken his Board of Inquiry's advice on fixing Huon Valley Council's toxic culture.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  20 Sep 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Huon Valley Council Mediation Fruitless, Fresh Elections Needed

The withdrawal of a second councillor from the Huon Valley Council’s mediation process should send a strong message to the Local Government Minister.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Sep 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Gutwein Ignores Board of Inquiry, Sets Up Huon Valley Mayor

Peter Gutwein’s call for the Mayor of the Huon Valley Council to stand down is a shameful attack on the man elected to change the broken culture of the council.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  15 Sep 2016


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Liberals' War on Councils

Since taking office the Government has waged a relentless war on councils and have refused to intervene and do their job as umpire in council disputes.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Aug 2016


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Launceston's Water and Sewerage Infrastructure

CEO of TasWater, Miles Hampton, has publicly stated that the ailing water infrastructure in Launceston is the community's problem.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Aug 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Tasmanians Paying for Liberals' War On Councils

The Liberals' relentless war on councils risks local service delivery and increases in rates for Tasmanians.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Aug 2016


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Gutwein Washes Hands of Water Issues

Peter Gutwein has passed the buck on our aging water and sewerage infrastructure to councils, and in the same breath told them they shouldn't raise rates.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  24 Aug 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Water Infrastructure News Welcome

We welcome the news TasWater have committed to fixing the water supply to all 24 towns currently on "do not consume" and "boil water" alerts within two years.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  23 Aug 2016


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Statewide Planning Scheme Adjournment Defeated

It's disappointing that both the Liberals and Labor voted against the Greens' move to defer the statewide planning scheme bill.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  13 Oct 2015


Planning Documents

Greens Move to Defer Planning Bill

The Greens will move to defer the bill that enables a statewide planning scheme until the government releases the full scheme.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  12 Oct 2015


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Scheme Needs to Cater to all Tasmanians, Not Just the Big End of Town

The concern for the Greens is that any planning scheme that encompasses the whole State may not be an appropriate fit for Tasmania.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  29 Jun 2015


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Liberals Wash Hands of Responsibility for Water and Sewerage Infrastructure

Not one of TasWater's 80 treatment plants meet modern standards and communities across Tasmania are facing contaminated water supplies.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  4 Jun 2015


Risdon Brook Reservoir, Tasmania

Water Quality in Towns

Across Tasmania there are communities who are being told not to drink their water because it is not safe or to boil it before drinking.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  4 Jun 2015


Public Meeting, Town Hall

State Political Donations Reforms Push

The Hobart City Council’s formal vote supporting tougher political donations disclosure laws for local government candidates.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  11 Feb 2015


Chickens, Battery Cages

Questions for Launceston City Council

The Environment Protection Authority needs to intervene and investigate the impacts of a wrongly approved commercial–scale poultry shed at Lalla.

Kim Booth  |  Media Release  |  8 Feb 2015


Public Meeting, Town Hall

Time to Reform Local Council Elections

Electoral reform to provide for compulsory voting in local government elections and allowing electronic voting is needed.

Kim Booth  |  Media Release  |  29 Oct 2014