The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed Federal Budget announcements that will support council work to create stronger, more liveable communities, and the inclusion of the Association in the landmark Housing Accord.
For councils, the budget notably included a $250 million expansion of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, an extra $100 million in Financial Assistance Grants and $200 million per year for disaster mitigation from 2023-24.
ALGA President, Cr Linda Scott, said the budget reflects the past 12 months of advocacy and that she was thrilled with the new and expanded projects, including:
- A $250 million expansion of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, secured through ALGA’s advocacy, taking this program through to 2025-26 and a total value of $3.25 billion
- $200 million per year for disaster mitigation from 2023-24, also secured by ALGA, which will help councils better protect their regions from floods, fires and cyclones
- A new Growing Regions Program and Precincts and Partnerships Program, which will together provide $1 billion over three years, with regional councils eligible to apply to both funds
- An extra $100 million in Financial Assistance Grants, taking the total value of these grants to $2.92 billion this year (including $2.1 billion pre-paid to councils in 2021-22)
- $80 million to support councils – as well as state and territory governments – to provide heavy vehicle rest stops on their roads
- $32 million over four years to help councils improve disability access and build up to 400 “Changing Places” toilets
- A new Australian Apprentices Incentive Scheme which will provide $22 million over four years for 29,000 in-training support places in regional and remote areas
“I am also pleased to report that ALGA has been included in the landmark Housing Accord,” Cr Scott said.
“Australia is facing a significant affordable housing crisis, and I look forward to working with councils, as well as other governments, investors and the building industry to help facilitate the funding needed to create the affordable housing our communities need.
The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, announced during the budget delivery that the government has decided not to move ahead with round six of the Building Better Regions Fund, and the Community Development Grants Program.
“We support transparent funding for councils and will be advocating to the Government to ensure that funding through the Growing Regions and Precincts and Partnerships programs is transparent and accountable, and focussed on local government projects,” Cr Scott said.
“Working together, we have delivered some fantastic outcomes for our councils and communities, but our work isn’t done yet.”
Cr Scott said the ALGA’s number one priority remains restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue.
“Labor has committed to ‘fair increases’ to Financial Assistance Grants, and we look forward to working with the government towards beginning the path back to one per cent from the 2023-24 Budget next May.
“Finally, my thoughts are with all of the disaster declared councils around the country, I know you are all doing a fantastic job in incredibly difficult circumstances.”
LGAQ’s budget critique
The peak body representing Queensland’s councils has welcomed steps to help address the national housing crisis as well as an increase in road funding, but said it is disappointed the Federal Budget has failed to reveal an increase in crucial funding for local government.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) CEO, Cr Alison Smith, said Queensland’s councils would be looking closely at the Housing Accord, and welcome the disaster mitigation funding as the country’s most disaster-prone state.
Cr Smith said councils will welcome the confirmed increase in the highly successful Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, but would still like to see it made permanent.
“There is also an ongoing commitment to infrastructure but our members will be disappointed at the delay in some project funding, with the likes of Bridges Renewal and Roads of Significant Interest (ROSI) seeing funding pushed into the out years,” Cr Smith said.
“There will also be concern about the reduction in water infrastructure funding for Queensland.”
Cr Smith said it was vital the Federal Government listened to councils and addressed funding for both Financial Assistant Grants, for local communities to achieve the level of liveability they deserve.
“The LGAQ has consistently called for the Financial Assistant Grants to be restored to at least one per cent of Federal tax revenue, to bolster the financial sustainability of local governments and lift the liveability of every community in our state,” Cr Smith said.
“The Albanese Government has promised a fair increase in FA grants but we are yet to understand exactly what that looks like.
“We will continue to push for a fairer deal because it is critical to ensuring local councils can deliver the infrastructure and services their local communities not only need, but deserve, because every local community deserves to be a liveable one.”
