Media Release - Local government welcomes the commitment to a fairer share of heavy Vehicle Motor Tax

On behalf of the state’s 29 councils, the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) welcomes today’s announcement from the Tasmanian Liberal Party to support local government in ensuring safe and productive local roads.

LGAT President and Break O’Day Council mayor Mick Tucker said councils have been asking for a fairer share of the Heavy Vehicle Motor Tax for many years.

“Around $30 million is collected per year by the State Government. However, it only provides $1.5 million to local government, even though councils manage 80%, some 14,400 km, of Tasmania’s road network,” Mayor Tucker said.

"Our ask is a simple one, that the State Government distributes the revenue collected among all road managers on the same basis it is charged – on-road use. Today’s announcement by the Liberal Party goes a long way to restoring this balance.”

Our sector welcomes the immediate increase to $5 million per year and looks forward to working with the Government on a distribution methodology that accounts for inflation and heavy vehicle usage.