Australia is set to head to the polls on 21 May for the 2022 Federal Election, with enrolments now closed as of 18 April.
Campaigning from both Liberal and Labor leaders has begun, with Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese both travelling around Australia. So what key issues for Australian councils will they address?
Follow Council to stay up to date on how the Federal Election will affect local governments, as polling day rapidly approaches.
11 May
Councils welcome pledge for national housing plans
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed Labor’s plans to tackle housing supply and homelessness through working with local governments, as the Federal Election quickly approaches.
10 May
City of Ipswich calls for federal infrastructure funding
City of Ipswich is calling for Federal election candidates to invest in desperately needed infrastructure projects for the region.
Currently no federal election candidates have committed to investing in the region, to prevent gridlock and boost economic productivity, future growth, and Ipswich’s liveability.
City of Ipswich Mayor, Teresa Harding, said the Centenary Highway was one significant area that needed urgent planning, design and delivery of critical upgrades that were already lagging behind the population boom.
“As the federal election draws near, Council is calling on candidates to invest in the fastest-growing city in Queensland,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich has the most rapid population growth of any local government area in Queensland, with 6,000 new residents each year.”
Mayor Harding said that population growth was centred on hotspot areas connected by the Centenary Highway – including Greater Springfield, Ripley Valley Priority Development Area and Redbank Plains – and that the highway was essential to the movement of people and freight around South-East Queensland.
“Without public transport options – such as the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor –hundreds of thousands of new residents and businesses will be forced to use the highways, leading to congestion and putting the brakes on the economic and social growth for the whole region,” Mayor Harding said.
City of Ipswich Deputy Mayor, Division 1 Councillor, Jacob Madsen, said Ripley Valley was deemed a Priority Development Area (PDA) by the State Government, but coordinated action from all levels of government was required to address a $92 million catalytic funding shortfall.
“We are preparing for another 120,000 new residents moving into the Ripley corridor over the next 20 years – as well as other new housing developments in surrounding areas – and significant upgrades are required to the Centenary Highway and associated road network to cater for this growth,” Deputy Mayor Madsen said.
Division 1 Councillor, Sheila Ireland, said Ripley Valley PDA was one of the largest growth areas in Australia, covering 4,860ha and set to have a total of 135,000 people in 50,000 dwellings.
“We’re only at the beginning of the boom in Ripley Valley. If the Queensland and Federal Governments are serious about liveability in South-East Queensland they will invest in the infrastructure this nationally-significant area needs, before it is too late,” Cr Ireland said.
5 May
Councils welcome $250 million pledge for roads and infrastructure
Ahead of the 2022 election, Labor has committed $250 million to top-up the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) if elected.
21 April
ALGA calls for federal funding for circular economy projects
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has called on the next Federal Government to provide a $100 million per year fund for circular economy waste innovation projects.
19 April
ALGA: councils dedicated to Closing the Gap post-Election
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has said that councils are committed to working with the next Federal Government, regardless of the outcome of the 2022 Federal Election, to lessen the social and economic disadvantages experienced by many Indigenous Australians.
ALGA President, Linda Scott, said local governments are seeking a $100 million per year fund that would support the capacity of councils to sign the Close the Gap agreement and help implement the Local and Regional Voice framework.
“On behalf of Australia’s 537 councils, ALGA is proud to be a signatory to the national Closing the Gap agreement, which sets out a pathway for improving the lives of Indigenous Australians,” Cr Scott said.
“Last year we released our implementation plan, which outlines how councils will progress priority reforms such as youth employment and economic participation.
“Employment rates for Indigenous Australians have improved slightly over the past decade but they still remain a long way behind non-Indigenous Australians.
“In many of our rural and remote communities, councils are major employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“With better funding partnerships we could invest more in training and upskilling our Indigenous staff, opening up new career pathways and improved opportunities for social inclusion.”
Cr Scott said funding support would also help councils engage with local communities to establish the 35 proposed Local and Regional Voice bodies.
“This framework will make it easier for Indigenous Australians to provide advice and have input on matters that are important to improving their lives,” Cr Scott said.
“Local governments are committed to building a more prosperous and inclusive future for First Nations people based on genuine and respectful partnerships.”
$10 million election promise for Gippsland Logistics Precinct
The Labor Party has promised $10 million in funding to Latrobe City Council, to progress its Gippsland Logistics Precinct project, ahead of the incoming Federal Election.
Labor candidate Andrew Giles MP visited Morwell to announce the commitment, which will be a substantial contribution to Stage 2 of the project.
Latrobe City Council said it has welcomed the funding, as it will support the development of internal road and utility infrastructure and flood mitigation earthworks.
When fully operational, this project will directly create up to 500 jobs, with its state-of-the-art facilities acting as a catalyst to attract new industries and opportunities to the region.
Mayor of Latrobe City, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan, acknowledged the support for the project.
“The Precinct will position Latrobe City as the new centre for freight, serving as a catalyst for the attraction of new industries to the region and will support the economic growth of the broader Gippsland region,” Mayor O’Callaghan said.
“We’re asking all levels of government to invest in Latrobe’s transformation and welcome the opportunity to speak to representatives from all parties.”
1 April
ASCA releases Federal Election Platform
The Australian Smart Communities Association (ASCA) has released its 2022 Federal Election Platform, aiming to elevate the discussion of smart communities to a national level and outline how technology, data, and innovation can build better outcomes for Australia.
