The state government has proposed cutting 60 councillor positions across Tasmania in a shake-up aimed at attracting higher-quality candidates and addressing “undemocratic” election outcomes.
Under the plan released on Monday, the state’s 29 councils would be restructured to have either nine, seven or five councillors.
Allowances would rise by 14.25%, with the changes designed to be cost-neutral overall, though the financial impact would vary significantly between councils.
Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent said the reforms were needed to strengthen democracy and make the role more sustainable.
“Councillors’ roles are increasingly complex and we must fairly recognise their valuable service while attracting and retaining diverse, skilled representatives,” he said.
The government’s discussion paper highlights some questionable results, with candidates elected since 2022 on as few as 17 first-preference votes.
One successful candidate won a seat with just 0.89% of total votes cast in their municipality.
Tasmania currently has the second-highest number of councillors per capita in the country, after the Northern Territory, with one councillor for every 2,120 people.
In Victoria, the ratio is one councillor for every 10,523 people. The reforms would lift Tasmania’s ratio to around 2,694 residents per councillor.
Restructures would be based on a data-driven scoring system that takes into account population, development activity, infrastructure assets and geographic factors, the government says.
Councils would then be placed into six allowance bands, ranging from $15,064 to $51,366 a year.
Clarence would incur additional costs of $50,671 annually while its councillors receive a 41.12% pay rise from moving up allowance categories.
Hobart City Council would save $77,217, with its councillors receiving only the base 14.25% increase.
The government said the current allowance model – based on registered voters and operating revenue – was flawed and too easily skewed by grant funding.
Several councils cut their numbers voluntarily in the early 2010s, creating inconsistencies where similar-sized councils now have different levels of representation.
Devonport and King Island both have nine councillors, despite populations of 26,989 and 1,662 respectively.
The reforms would be introduced through amendments to the Local Government Act before the October 2026 elections. Public consultation closes on November 7.
“The discussion paper is part of the government’s review into local councillor numbers and allowances,” Vincent said.
“The government is committed to improving local democracy and representation to better serve our communities and has listened to the local government sector about these reforms.”
