- Title
- The future of local government review: Tasmanian residents state-wide phone survey report
- Creator
- Institute for Regional Futures
- Relation
- https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centre/regional-futures
- Publisher
- University of Newcastle
- Resource Type
- report
- Date
- 2023
- Description
- In February 2023, we conducted a phone survey of 1,000 Tasmanians from all 29 council areas to better understand what people think about the future of councils. This is the largest survey ever conducted in Tasmania on this topic. The people we spoke to were as diverse as the population of the state itself: from all genders, ages, backgrounds, stages of life, people living in the cities, the towns and in the country and from every local government area. We are confident that the people surveyed are representative of the population, and that these results accurately reflect the views of people from across the state. The key findings from this survey include: More than half of the respondents felt that Tasmania had too many councils (57%). 14% of all respondents felt that either the population or the size of the state was too small to sustain that many councils. 31% felt that we have the right amount, and only 2% felt there were too few. Opportunities for greater sharing of resources (12%), cost savings (12%), and reducing duplication (5%) were the most common reasons for reducing the number of councils. For those who felt that there are the right amount or too few, the major identified issues were around the concern that fewer councils would not be able to meet distinct, local needs (8%) or provide adequate representation (3%). More than four out of five (82%) of people surveyed agreed that local councils in Tasmania should share more services across regions and state-wide, particularly when thinking about the needs of their family and community over the next 20 to 30 years. 9% disagreed, and 9% were unsure. Cost sharing and/or cost reduction (17%), improved unity and cohesiveness (10%) and the better management of limited resources (9%) were the most frequently identified reasons for supporting shared services. Those who did not support shared services were concerned that services would be distributed too thinly and that it would diminish local community self-reliance. State-wide, people were more likely to think things will get worse (47%) if there is no change in the local government sector over the coming decades. 14% will imagine things will get better. The most frequently cited reason for supporting sector reform was concerns about the inefficiency of council facilities and/or services to manage change. Areas of potential future inefficiency for councils that were identified included: roads, traffic and transport infrastructure, environment and climate change issues, housing, development, crime management, healthcare access, waste management, communication and engagement with the community. Other reasons for reform were: the capacity of current councils to be forward thinking or ‘evolve with the times’; issues relating to population changes in terms of growth and ageing; and structural impediments that limit council’s ability to respond to future issues. Infrastructure, including quality roads, was seen to be the major issue facing councils state-wide. Almost 60% of those surveyed listed infrastructure as one of their three top priorities. Affordable housing was significantly prioritised in cities, urban centres and towns, although less so for the smaller rural and remote councils. Affordable housing was the major issue for Tasmanians from 18 to 24 years old (72%) and from 25 to 34 years (68%). 80% agreed that they don’t mind which level of government provides services locally, as long as they are delivered well. 52% stroThe Tasmanian Government has commissioned the Local Government Board to undertake a Review into the future role, function, and design of local government in Tasmania. The Board has engaged the Institute for Regional Futures (IRF) through the Department of Premier and Cabinet to provide research and analytical support, including through the conduct of socio-economic research to inform the Review.is statement.
- Subject
- local government; future needs; Tasmania; community survey; project report; Institute for Regional Futures
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1493122
- Identifier
- uon:53485
- Rights
- © The University of Newcastle 2023. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act no part may be reproduced by any process without the permission of the publishers.
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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