By Adam Langenberg

Copyright abc

The number of Tasmanian councillors would be cut by 23 per cent under a state government plan.

A discussion paper released for public comment by the Tasmanian government on Monday proposes reducing the number of councillors from 263 to 203, but increasing councillors’ annual allowance by at least 14.25 per cent, at “no net cost” to the community.

Tasmanian councils currently have between seven and 12 councillors, but would have five, seven or nine — based on their size and complexity — under the new model.

Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent said the model would “deliver more effective representation and fairer councillor pay”.

“Councillors’ roles are increasingly complex, and we must fairly recognise their valuable service while attracting and retaining diverse, skilled representatives,” he said.

“Having the right number of councillors in a local government area is critical to ensuring effective governance, representation and service delivery.”

Tasmania only behind NT on councillors per capita

Tasmania currently has the second-highest proportion of councillors per head of population, with 2,120 people per councillor.

That would reduce to 2,746 people per councillor under the new model, and move Tasmania to third, behind the Northern Territory (1,463 people per councillor) and Western Australia (2,217 people per councillor).

Under the proposed model, five of Tasmania’s 29 councils — Clarence, Hobart, Launceston, Glenorchy and Kingborough — would have nine councillors, another 19 would have seven, and five — Central Highlands, West Coast, Flinders Island, King Island and Tasman — would be reduced to five councillors.

Central Highlands, West Coast and King Island would have the biggest reductions, all dropping from nine councillors to five.

Councillor pay would also be set according to the size and complexity of the council, with the five councils with five members to have the lowest allowance rates at $15,064 per councillor.

Clarence, Hobart and Launceston would have the highest allowances, at $51,366 — with Clarence councillors to have the biggest pay increase, a 41.12 per cent pay rise.

Clarence mayor welcomes reduction in numbers

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley, who is pro-council amalgamation, said there was “no question there are too many elected members at a local government level”.

“I know that from a Clarence City Council perspective, from Launceston, from Hobart, nine [councillors] would be manageable. As for the other councils, that’s something they’ll make submissions on.”

He said local government had changed considerably in recent years, and the pay increase was needed to ensure councillors continued to be paid fairly and the position was attractive to good quality candidates.

Kingborough mayor Paula Wreidt, who is also the vice-president of the Local Government Association, agreed the changes were “a significant step forward”.

“I know that for some councils it is going to mean quite a significant step, for Kingborough we would only lose one councillor, for others they could lose three, and in King Island’s case … they would lose four,” she said.

“There is a lot of inequity across the current system.

“It will be really interesting to see how this is received from councillors around the state, and we do hope all councils put in a submission.”

Feedback on the discussion paper closes on November 7.