What is the role of local government?
Local governments (ie councils) are generally your first port of call if you are affected by a development activity or an environmental problem. Tasmanian councils have been given the authority to handle most proposed new development applications as well as pollution control. Councils therefore have powers to make decisions that can have a big impact on your local environment. Things such as heights of buildings, siting developments, subdivisions, land clearance, quarries, new buildings and factories and the management of municipal waste are all dealt with by local government, often in cooperation with relevant state government agencies. (☞ Go to Chapters 4, 5 & 6 to find out how this system works.) In the case of a large quarry, for example, the relevant local council, Mineral Resources Tasmania and the Environment Division may all be involved.
Local governments (ie councils) are generally your first port of call if you are affected by a development activity or an environmental problem. Tasmanian councils have been given the authority to handle most proposed new development applications as well as pollution control. Councils therefore have powers to make decisions that can have a big impact on your local environment. Things such as heights of buildings, siting developments, subdivisions, land clearance, quarries, new buildings and factories and the management of municipal waste are all dealt with by local government, often in cooperation with relevant state government agencies. (☞ Go to Chapters 4, 5 & 6 to find out how this system works.) In the case of a large quarry, for example, the relevant local council, Mineral Resources Tasmania and the EPA Division may all be involved.
