Acknowledging the need for change in local government, the four councils of the Mersey-Leven region have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Strategic Alliance, fostering closer collaboration on issues of shared interest.
Representing approximately 60% of Northwest Tasmania's population, the Central Coast, Devonport, Kentish, and Latrobe Councils see great potential in achieving significant outcomes through increased collaboration.
"We recognise that our communities are deeply interconnected, and by collaborating on strategic issues and projects, everyone benefits. Conversely, if we fail to work together and continue competing, it negatively impacts us all," said Central Coast Mayor Cheryl Fuller.
"Latrobe Council has always embraced collaborative efforts that benefit our community. Our resource-sharing arrangement with Kentish has been highly successful, and we now look forward to strengthening our partnerships with Devonport and Central Coast," said Acting Latrobe Mayor Vonette Mead.
"Kentish has the smallest population and rate base in the Mersey-Leven region, but the largest land area, presenting unique challenges. By collaborating more closely with our neighbouring councils, we aim to address these challenges more effectively," said Kentish Mayor Kate Haberle.
The four councils have a long-standing history of collaboration, with initiatives like the Dulverton Waste Management Authority and the Mersey Leven Emergency Management Committee successfully operating for decades.
As part of the MOU, the Councils have committed to formalising a Strategic Alliance by the end of the year. This Alliance will concentrate on key strategic issues, including the development of shared strategy documents and advancing recommendations from the State Government's Future of Local Government Review.
The Alliance does not intend to replicate the existing regional entity, the Cradle Coast Authority but rather focus on more specific sub-regional matters.
The Councils are also pursuing government funding to support the Alliance and its initiatives.
"We have reached out to the Local Government Minister, requesting State Government funding to support the Councils' efforts and fully harness the opportunities that may arise through the Alliance," said Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman.
