THERE is no compelling reason for the Derwent Valley Council to merge with any other municipality, according to a recommendation to be discussed by councillors on Thursday.
Council staff have also recommended the establishment of a Regional Waste Management Entity for Southern Tasmania.
Although forced mergers are now off the table after the Government backflipped on the idea earlier this month, the council still intends to participate in the Local Government Review process to find alternative measures to future proof the council’s viability.
In a draft submission to the review, the council is clear it wants to:
• retain its existing boundaries;
• recommend and support the establishment of a new entity for the service delivery of waste management for the 12 southern Tasmanian councils; and
• work more closely with the South-Central Sub-Region councils to increase organisational capacity and quality of service delivery – Brighton, Central Highlands, Southern Midlands councils.
“The Derwent Valley Council submits that there is no compelling reason for the Derwent Valley Municipality to be amalgamated with another council area,’’ the council agenda recommends. “
“While the State Government has stated that there will be no forced amalgamations, the council supports the potential for meaningful reform in the sector. There are opportunities for regional and subregional reforms to help councils provide better governance and services for their communities.
Greater collaboration could support greater efficiencies including in the areas of finance systems, IT, human resources, procurement, asset construction and maintenance.
Council staff have recommended the establishment of a Regional Waste Management Entity for Southern Tasmania.
The body would deliver customer services on a regional basis and would:
• provide economies of scale from the larger operation;
• remove onerous reporting and management functions from member councils;
• improve the ability to embrace new technologies and initiatives;
• provide consistency and equal service provision across the region;
• improve educational programs;
• allow partnerships with government such as Parks and Wildlife waste management;
• provide common and consistent pricing across the region; and
• provide best-practice waste management services to residents of small councils.
The council meeting will be overseen by Mayor Michelle Dracoulis and Acting General Manager Ron Sanderson.
The agenda confirms no decision has yet been made to recruit a new General Manager after the sudden resignation of the former GM several months ago.