Meeting Motions
Two motions were at PMAT’s Latrobe community public meeting held on 21st June 2023. Approximately 30 people were present.

Motion 1:
That we ratepayers here present tonight, 21 June 2023 at Latrobe, have no confidence in the Hon Minister for Local Government Nic Street, the Director of Local Government and members of the Local Government Review Board/ Panel.  

Moved: Robert (Bob) Vellacott
Seconded: Petra Wilden

Motion Passed
13 For
3 Against
10 Abstained

Motion 2:
The meeting calls on the Kentish, Central Coast, Latrobe and Devonport councils to all hold public meetings and not on the same night.

Moved: Shayne Allison 
Seconded: Caroline Jamieson

Motion passed unanimously. 

The meeting discussed, amongst other issues: 

• Forced amalgamation could see the loss of local representation, increased property rates and council costs and loss of local services. PMAT supports voluntary amalgamations.

• Removing Councils from making decisions on Development Applications, bypassing local democracy. These changes would fundamentally alter Local Government and planning in Tasmania and how the community and Council have a say on future developments, including planning appeals.

• The State Government wants to choose who makes planning decisions. They want to replace Councils with State Government appointed ‘independent assessment panels’. In NSW, local planning panels were created to stamp out corruption, but councillors from across the political spectrum say they favour developers and undermine democratic accountability. An example of the effects of removing Councils as a Planning Authority in NSW and replacing them with planning panels can be read here: How ‘unelected faceless men and women’ keep approving NSW developments, Sydney Morning Herald, August 15, 2021.

• We are seeing the takeover of planning by the State Government and unchecked Ministerial powers: changes in Tasmania’s planning system shift power over planning decisions away from the Tasmanian Planning Commission, Councils and the public into the hands of one individual – the Minister for Planning.

Photo: PMAT Latrobe Community meeting, with approximately 30 people in attendance, 21 June 2023.