By Rob O'Brien

State and local government in Tasmania have announced a consultation paper on how to measure the performance of councils.

Releasing the paper, the Premier, David Bartlett, and the President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), Cr Barry Easther, said the initiative would improve the management and sustainability of the third tier of government.

“This project is a joint State Government and local government initiative that will provide councils and communities with a snapshot of council performance in relation to key indicators,” Mr Bartlett said.

“It will illustrate the sustainability of councils in terms of their ability to make the best use of resources and capabilities to ensure high quality service to the Tasmanian community into the long term.

Mr Bartlett said the project would improve performance management, develop a culture of continuous improvement and ensure a sustainable local government sector.

“We acknowledge that this project stands to benefit enormously from the input of councils and other stakeholders,” Mr Bartlett said.
 

Cr Easther said the project would measure councils’ performance in a range of key areas.

“The areas to be measured are up for discussion but may include financial and asset management, governance and community engagement,” Cr Easther said.

Respondents are invited to provide written submissions either in hard copy, by e-mail or via the website.

Mr Bartlett encouraged councils and the community to provide submissions to the consultation paper. Submissions will be accepted until 1 October 2010.

Regional workshops will be held in late September and will provide an opportunity to discuss, debate and provide input into the project and the questions raised by the consultation paper. Workshops will be held in the south on 23 September, in the north-west on 30 September and in the north on 1 October.