Tasmania will cut 50 elected positions from its local councils in the biggest shake-up of the state’s local government system in years.
Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent said on Friday the reforms would cap large urban councils at nine members and all others at seven, reducing the total number of councillors from 263 to 213.
“This will mean a reduction of 50 councillors statewide, while supporting allowances that better reflect contemporary council functions and at no net additional cost,” he said.
The changes follow a public consultation late last year that drew 49 submissions from councils, councillors, community members and peak bodies.
Tasmania has long been a national outlier, with among the highest numbers of councillors per capita but some of the lowest allowances – an imbalance the government says the reforms will address.
Allowances will be restructured into six categories based on each council’s size and responsibilities.
A revised scoring system will also take into account rateable properties and total road length, including unsealed roads.
The government estimates the changes will deliver net savings of about $85,000 statewide.
Vincent said feedback from the consultation process had been carefully considered.
“We are striking the right balance between improving consistency in councillor numbers and recognising the increasingly complex and valuable service councillors provide to their communities,” he said.
Smaller councils will be able to apply to reduce their numbers to five members if they consider it appropriate.
“We will also be legislating regular, four-yearly reviews to ensure local representation and councillor allowances reflect the changing nature of our communities,” Vincent said.
“All Tasmanians have a strong interest in local government and we want to deliver the strongest possible support for this important level of government.”
Vincent said the reforms would help attract candidates ahead of October’s council elections.
“These reforms will further strengthen local governance by laying the groundwork to attract and retain diverse, talented candidates for the 2026 elections and beyond,” he said.
The changes will require amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 through the Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill 2026.
They are expected to be in place before voters head to the polls in October.
Shadow local government minister Anita Dow said earlier this week that Labor is “in principle” supportive of reducing the number of councillors.
“We look forward to the minister releasing the final drafts of his legislation so we can consider and comment on the details of the changes being proposed since first drafts were released,” she said.
“If the minister can’t do that with ample time for the changes to be properly considered and implemented, he should consider deferring them until after this round of elections.”
