The Tasmanian Government has suspended Glenorchy City aldermen for six months following years of infighting and fiery council meetings.

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein has appointed former Legislative Council president Sue Smith to the role of commissioner to oversee the council's affairs.

Ratepayers will foot her salary of more than $100,000.

Mr Gutwein issued an ultimatum late last month giving the councillors seven days to convince him not to suspend them.

He said the councillors failed to convince him they were providing good governance.

The Minister said he had spoken to the aldermen, apart from one travelling overseas.

"The behaviour at Glenorchy City Council has not improved and in the interests of the Glenorchy community, the aldermen will be suspended and a commissioner appointed as of midnight tonight," he said.

"The council has had an opportunity to show it can provide good governance and has demonstrated that it is not able to do that."

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Mayor Kristie Johnston told Mr Gutwein she agreed that governance had suffered and she supported his actions.

"For the protection of the community, this is the right thing to do," she said.

"I made a promise to improve transparency and accountability at Glenorchy City Council and today's suspension in another step in that journey."

Alderman Johnston said she hoped to "take the reigns again as mayor".

Alderman Jenny Branch-Allen said she was yet to see evidence the council was not working properly and she hoped the elected members would be able to see out their terms.

"Is it in the best interests of the community? I doubt it," she said.

"People elected us two and a half years ago to represent them at this council and that is what we have been doing.

"There has been some disagreements but there is no evidence this council hasn't been upfront, transparent, [showing] good governance and making things better."

'We need amalgamation': Deputy Mayor

Glenorchy Deputy Mayor, and former member for Franklin, Harry Quick claimed Mr Gutwein was trying to instigate council amalgamation "by stealth".

Still, Mr Quick said he supported amalgamation.

He said ratepayers would be better represented by one Hobart council.

"We need amalgamation," he said.

"It's ridiculous that we have five councils bordering on the River Derwent — we have transport issues.

"We don't need 40 or 50 councillors — we need a strong local government such as they have got in the Brisbane City Council."

Inquiry to determine ultimate future

A board of inquiry was set up two years ago after complaints from the community and is due to report in two months.

Mr Gutwein said the outcome of the inquiry would determine the fate of the council but he ruled out forced amalgamation.

In a confidential letter to Glenorchy councillors seen by the ABC, Mr Gutwein outlined his concerns including evidence of hostility between Aldermen and senior staff, media reports of police being called to council meetings and alleged non-compliance and breaches of the Local Government act.

Concerns were also raised about the alleged leaking of confidential information relating to a closed session of council in December last year.

The board of inquiry has faced a series of delays, including being the subject of Supreme Court action.

The council covers Hobart's northern suburbs, including Moonah, Claremont, Austins Ferry and Collinsvale.

Last September, Mr Gutwein also sacked the Huon Valley Council because of infighting.