IMAGE: The picture of the first Huon Valley Council after their official election on April 2, 1993. From back left, Laurie Dillon, Peter Pepper, Stan Bell, John Dance, George Cowen and Paul Harriss and from front left, Bill Perry, Gillian Archer, Greg Norris and Peter Coad. 

Thirty years ago marked the end of an era for the municipal councils in the Huon Valley area, with Huon, Port Cygnet and Esperance Councils amalgamating on April 2, 1993, following Huon Valley-wide elections.

In a move to combine forces in the far south and generate greater resources and guidance in the delivery of local government regulations, the three councils were combined.

Saturday, March 27 was D-Day for the councils in the Huon Valley, voters asked to head to the ballot box to vote for three representatives from each council area to become a part of the nine elected representatives in the new Huon Valley Council.

From a total of 3326 votes cast across the then three municipalities, nine councillors were elected; Laurie Dillon, Peter Pepper and Greg Norris from Esperance Council; Stan Bell, Gillian Archer and Paul Harriss from Huon Council; and Peter Coad, George Cowen and John Dance from Port Cygnet Council.