The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed the commitment from the Coalition to reinstate the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
ALGA President, Matt Burnett, said that when the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program was introduced in 2020, it was a game-changer, supporting all 537 councils to build, maintain and upgrade thousands of libraries, recreation centres, playgrounds, skate parks, bike paths and roads.
“The formula-based program was an extraordinary success, driving an almost $1 billion improvement in the condition of our local facilities over three years,” Mayor Burnett said.
“Unfortunately, the final round of LRCI funding was allocated in July 2023, and since then we have been advocating for the program’s return.
“We are thrilled that the Coalition has recognised the value of investing in our communities and committed to bringing back the Local Roads and Community infrastructure Program at $1 billion per year if they form government.
“Reinstating the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program will support every council, and more importantly, provide tangible benefits to every Australian community.
“The state of our regional roads is a big concern, and we are pleased that the renewed LRCI will include funding for regional councils to build and maintain safer local roads.”
Mayor Burnett said that the non-competitive formula-based structure of the LRCI was one of its biggest strengths.
“Many Australian councils are facing a financial sustainability crisis, and it is formula-based, non-competitive federal funding provided to all local governments that provides our communities with the best results,” Mayor Burnett said.
“What we need now is for this commitment to be enshrined in legislation like Roads to Recovery. Without funding certainty, we cannot do the long-term planning that our communities need.”
Mayor Burnett said that, in the lead up to the 2025 election, ALGA is calling for $3.5 billion through five new formula-based, non-competitive funding programs for all councils, which would include:
- $1.1 billion per year for enabling infrastructure to unlock housing supply
- $500 million per year for community infrastructure
- $600 million per year for safer local roads
- $900 million per year for increased local government emergency management capability and capacity
- $400 million per year for climate adaptation
