ALGA News

Highly successful 2024 NGA It was wonderful to welcome more than 1200 of you to our historic 30th National General Assembly in Canberra. There were so many memorable highlights, including the historic first public speech of Australia’s new Governor General Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC. During the week, we also heard from Federal+

Local government inquiry hearing On behalf of Australia’s 537 councils, I was delighted to appear before the Parliamentary inquiry into local government sustainability in Canberra last week. During the hearing, I highlighted new ALGA research showing local governments could boost Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by up to $7 billion per year, and create more+

A record number of local government leaders are expected to attend the historic 30th National General Assembly in Canberra from 2-4 July. Around 1200 mayors, shire presidents and councillors from across Australia will converge in the capital for the annual conference, being held at the National Convention Centre. This year’s theme is Building Community Trust,+

The removal and management of illegally dumped tyres in Australia is costing local governments more than $6.5 million a year, according to new research supported by ALGA. These findings were outlined in the Stockpiling and illegal dumping of tyres report prepared for Tyre Stewardship Australia, and produced with assistance from ALGA members. The report, released+

Local government inquiry update We look forward to presenting to Parliament’s inquiry into local government sustainability after recently lodging our evidence-based submission. This inquiry is a valuable opportunity to outline the value and services we are delivering in our communities and highlight the funding reforms our sector needs to be sustainable. I encourage you to+

The exhibition booths for the 2024 National General Assembly in Canberra are sold-out. However, there are still some last-minute sponsorship opportunities still available, including for the new listening sessions – so don’t miss your chance to be there. Held at the National Convention Centre, the NGA is an opportunity for local government service providers to+

On behalf of Australia’s councils, ALGA attended a special exercise from 22-23 May in Adelaide to prepare for an extreme space weather event. Hosted by the Australian Government, Exercise Aurora 2024 was developed to allow Australia – and local governments – to plan for future space weather events, such as a geomagnetic storm that occurred+

Small businesses can access free training to protect themselves against cyber attacks, especially during the end of the financial year period. The latest statistics show 43 per cent of cyber attacks target small businesses, and a single attack can cost an average of $46,000. The simple online cyber security training is now available through Cyber+

Local government inquiry submission On behalf of all Australian councils, ALGA lodged a comprehensive, evidence-based submission to Parliament’s inquiry into local government sustainability last week. We have made five key recommendations to the Parliamentary Committee, with our number one priority being increasing untied federal funding for local government to at least one per cent of+

ALGA is seeking feedback from 2024 NGA delegates to help shape the new Listening Sessions forum on 2 July. For the first time, four concurrent listening sessions will feature in the program about key issues will be held during the NGA, providing an opportunity to have a say about federal policies affecting communities. These sessions+

2024-25 Federal Budget update – Wins and more to do! In response to ALGA’s advocacy, Australian councils will receive an additional $330 million in federal funding in 2024-25, including a $150 million increase in the Roads to Recovery program, as a result of the recent Federal Budget. However, the Government has not delivered on their+

Local governments can access new information and resources about Australia’s upcoming 3G mobile phone network shutdown this year. Telstra is planning to switch off its 3G network from 31 August 2024, and Optus from 1 September 2024. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G network in Australia. To ensure communities are fully prepared for+

Build up to Federal Budget We will be closely monitoring next week’s Federal Budget in Canberra to see if the Government finally follows through on its pre-election promise of “fair increases” to Financial Assistance Grants. The number one priority in our pre-Budget submission is restoring these vital untied grants to at least one percent of+

With more than 50 per cent of exhibition booths already sold, time is running out to book your booth for this year’s NGA. Held at the National Convention Centre Canberra, the NGA is an opportunity for local government service providers to engage with more than 1,000 mayors, shire presidents, CEOs and senior council staff. The+

ALGA has produced a new guide to support councils with their submissions to the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government sustainability The user-friendly guide, which includes links to the latest research on the sector, is available here for all local governments. Submissions to the inquiry were originally due by+

Australia’s councils, including in rural and regional areas, are being reminded about the looming shutdown of the 3G mobile phone network this year. Telstra is planning to switch off its 3G network from 30 June 2024, and Optus from 1 September 2024. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G network in Australia. This change+

Local governments are encouraged to provide feedback on a new issues paper from the Federal Government’s Climate Change Authority. The 2024 Issues paper: Targets, Pathways and Progress is seeking advice on Australia’s emissions reduction targets, sectoral pathways and progress towards becoming a net zero economy. The Authority expects to provide advice on Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction+

Win! Four week extension for local government inquiry submissions I am pleased to announce that ALGA’s request for a four-week extension for all submissions to Parliament’s inquiry into local government sustainability has been granted, with the new due date being Friday 31 May. ALGA will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based submission on behalf of all local+

The Office of Road Safety is interested in how local governments in Australia can be better supported to undertake network safety risk assessments to prioritise infrastructure investment. As a result, all councils are invited to participate in a new survey to help identify the skills, support and capabilities local governments need to help in the development+

Local governments are invited to join the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) to measure the Australian Night Time Economy (NTE) for the 2022-2023 period. Do you represent a council with ambitions to better understand and support economic activity after dark? Are you interested in understanding the performance trends of your NTE over time?+

New Governor General appointed I was delighted to see Sam Mostyn AO announced as the next Governor-General of Australia last week. Sam is a humble, dedicated servant of the public good, and a wonderful appointment by the Albanese Government. Thank you also to outgoing Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley DCE FTSE+

Australia’s local governments are being reminded to book tickets for the 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in Canberra from Tuesday 2 – Thursday 4 July. The 30th NGA at the National Convention Centre is expected to be ALGA’s biggest annual conference, and a registration brochure has been released showcasing a week of+

Win! National inquiry into local government sustainability Last week, we welcomed the House of Representatives Standing Committee national inquiry into local government sustainability. With additional responsibilities costing billions of dollars being forced onto Australia’s 537 councils every year, we expect this national inquiry will consider and address the financial challenges and funding shortfalls being faced+

Local governments are invited to provide feedback on the Australian Government’s National Adaptation Plan Issues Paper to ensure Australia is better prepared for the increasing risks from climate change. The plan will form a blueprint for adapting to nationally significant climate risks, and is based on world-class science of the National Climate Risk Assessment and+

Increasing Housing Support Program for councils We can’t effectively address the nation’s housing crisis by simply building more houses – we also need to build more parks, libraries, playgrounds, recreation centres and swimming pools. That’s why ALGA is calling for more support for councils from the Federal Government to invest in the local infrastructure necessary+

ALGA News sat down with Australian Library & Information Association (ALIA) CEO Cathie Warburton to discuss how libraries are stepping up to support communities during the cost-of-living crisis.  Ms Warburton highlighted how public libraries, especially run by councils, are helping to improve the liveability of communities by providing essential services to vulnerable people and families.+

Local governments, including in regional areas, are reminded to apply for the first round of the Federal Government’s new Community Energy Upgrades Fund. Grants of between $25,000 and $2,500,000 are available to councils across Australia to invest in energy-saving measures including to replace swimming pool heating systems with electric heat pumps, battery storage at sporting+

Local governments are invited to partner with the Resilience Canopy – a new, nation-wide movement to build strong and challenge-ready communities, adaptable to disruptions like natural disasters. The program activates communities to lead their own resilience-building actions and plan through a six-step engagement process and resilience framework. It also helps them connect with funding and+

Time for Government to deliver on FA Grants promise Last week, I told The Australian newspaper the Federal Government must deliver this year on its pre-election commitment to increase Financial Assistance Grants to Australia’s 537 local governments. Before the May 2022 election, Federal Labor promised to support the ‘long-term financial sustainability of local government’ through+

Local governments are urged to apply for the National Road Safety Action Grants Program (NRSAGP) to improve road safety outcomes in communities. The NRSAGP provides non-infrastructure grants to help implement the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 priorities: Community Education and Awareness, including workplace road safety Vulnerable Road Users First Nations road safety Technology and+

The Federal Government’s new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (RJED) has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). The new $707 million employment program is expected to create around 3,000 jobs in remote Australia in partnership with First Nations communities, with the goal of closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.+

The 2024 National Awards for Local Government are now open for Australia’s councils. The national awards celebrate outstanding local government achievements across Australia, including recognising local governments who are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence and deliver outcomes that are replicable across the country. All elected local government organisations, local government+