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ALGA today welcomed the Coalition’s pledge to invest $5 billion in enabling infrastructure through a new Housing Infrastructure Programme to unlock up to 500,000 new homes across Australia. President Mayor Matt Burnett said ALGA had been calling for this extra funding, which is vital for unlocking new housing developments across the country. “Our latest research+
Posted 19 October, 2024 -
In my first few weeks as President, I’ve spoken to several national media outlets, including The Australian Financial Review and Government News to highlight how councils can play a bigger role in addressing Australia’s housing crisis. We need to stop the ‘blame game’ around housing supply, and the barriers to increasing affordable housing must be+
Posted 18 October, 2024 -
On behalf of councils, ALGA attended the Intergovernmental Steering Committee on road safety meeting last week in Sydney. ALGA engaged with senior leaders and representatives from the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to review the progress of the National Road Safety Action Plan (2023-25), and discussed the ongoing governance of road safety strategies. The+
Posted 18 October, 2024 -
I am honoured to be elected as the new ALGA President. It’s a privilege to accept this long-standing leadership role to advocate on behalf of Australia’s 537 councils. By working together and with all levels of government, I want to see councils and communities not just survive, but thrive! I’m very excited to get started,+
Posted 16 October, 2024 -
ALGA attended the Global Nature Positive Summit from 8-10 October to share and highlight the contributions local governments are making to caring for the environment. Delegates participated in discussions about the opportunities to enable ‘local action’ on climate change and biodiversity restoration across the country through greater recognition of local governments’ role and improving resources.+
Posted 15 October, 2024 -
The National Rural Health Alliance has recently released an updated Rural Health Workforce Mapping Tool. The comprehensive tool provides accessible data on the distribution of the health workforce across Australia in a visual geographic format, which includes local government areas. Comparing the health workforce in major cities and regions, the tool is highly useful for+
Posted 15 October, 2024 -
On behalf of councils, ALGA attended the recent Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) annual conference in Hobart to engage with industry experts, policy-makers and leaders. ALGA is committed to empowering local governments to improve road safety outcomes and reduce fatalities on local roads. Last year, there were more than 1200 fatalities on Australia’s roads,+
Posted 2 October, 2024 -
Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Matt Burnett is the new President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) – the peak body for Australia’s 537 local governments. Mayor Burnett – who has been an ALGA Board member for eight years and a Vice President for the past four years – was elected at the annual general+
Posted 27 September, 2024 -
Several high-profile speakers have been announced for the 2024 National Local Roads, Transport & Infrastructure Congress from 3-4 December in Western Australia. As outlined in the provisional program, Stephen Hodge from national cycling advocacy body WeRide will discuss active transport as part of a concurrent session on 3 December along with Al Reid from microFleet, who+
Posted 19 September, 2024 -
Farewell and thank you This is my final update before handing over to your next ALGA President later this month. As you may know, I am leaving local government after 12 rewarding and enjoyable years, including four years as national President. It has been a tremendous privilege to represent our communities to the Federal Government,+
Posted 6 September, 2024 -
Councils are invited to apply for grants of up to $15,000 for Australia Day 2025 events. From morning teas to multicultural festivals, to mornings of mourning, more than 600 events were hosted by local governments and community groups around the country to reflect, respect and celebrate Australia Day 2024. The Australia Day Community Events Grant+
Posted 5 September, 2024 -
Councils are invited to participate in the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) inquiry into the future acts regime, under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), which is the main native title law in Australia. The ALRC will investigate how the future acts regime works, and how it can be improved to make it work effectively+
Posted 2 September, 2024 -
AGLA has released the Addressing the Housing Crisis: Unlocking Local Government’s Contribution report by Equity Economics. The new report highlights opportunities and policy reforms for councils to play a more effective role in accelerating Australia’s housing supply. In particular, the research shows there’s a $19.4 billion gap in the funding councils receive to deliver the enabling+
Posted 26 August, 2024 -
National Housing Summit I was delighted to speak at our inaugural National Local Government Housing Summit in Adelaide on 16 August, which attracted around 150 mayors, shire presidents, councillors and staff from across the country. This summit at Adelaide Town Hall focused on the positive role local government can play to facilitate more affordable housing+
Posted 23 August, 2024 -
ALGA News attended the launch of the National Drowning Report 2024, by Assistant Federal Minister Matt Thistlethwaite (pictured), on 20 August at Parliament House in Canberra, which found there were 323 drowning deaths over the past year. While some progress has been made including for children aged under five, the National Drowning Report 2024 showed+
Posted 22 August, 2024 -
Win! Regional airlines roundtable In an advocacy win, we worked with the Federal Government last week to organise a roundtable for regional councils affected by Rex Airlines entering voluntary administration. Hosted by Federal Minister for Local Government Kristy McBain and attended by 50 council leaders, the virtual briefing was secured following ALGA’s call for strong+
Posted 9 August, 2024 -
There needs to be “transformational change” in Australia’s approach to disaster mitigation funding and building resilient communities, a disaster management session in Canberra was told on 6 August. ALGA News attended the ANU Disaster Solutions Update 2024, which heard from a range of experts, including National Emergency Management Agency Coordinator-General Brendan Moon, Federal Minister for+
Posted 6 August, 2024 -
Australia’s councils are calling for strong action from the Federal Government to ensure regional communities remain connected and accessible in the wake of Rex Airlines entering voluntary administration. ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said any disruption to regional airline access would be devastating. “Our communities rely on consistent and reliable airline services to put food+
Posted 2 August, 2024 -
A key component of every National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government is the motions submitted by participating councils for debate and discussion, identifying important issues to the communities they represent. Local governments at the 2024 NGA considered more than 160 motions, all of which called for some form of action from the Federal Government,+
Posted 2 August, 2024 -
National Housing Summit We are less than three weeks away from our inaugural National Local Government Housing Summit. This summit will be held at Adelaide Town Hall on Friday 16 August, and the event is an opportunity for us to follow up and expand on discussions we had around affordable housing at our NGA in+
Posted 26 July, 2024 -
ALGA has engaged Equity Economics to undertake research into the support Australia’s local governments need to help increase affordable housing supply. This research will be launched at the National Local Government Housing Summit in Adelaide on 16 August. To inform the research, a short survey has been developed on the barriers councils face in housing development.+
Posted 26 July, 2024 -
A major highlight of the 2024 National General Assembly was four new listening sessions held on 2 July on housing and community infrastructure, emergency management, roads and transport and energy transition. Facilitated by the Melbourne Leadership Group, these sessions featured a free-flowing exchange of ideas and debate between councils, the federal public service and other+
Posted 25 July, 2024 -
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+
Posted 12 July, 2024 -
SGS Economics and Planning partner Marcus Spiller launched new research about local government financial sustainability in Australia at the 2024 NGA on 3 July. The report analyses long-term trends in financial sustainability of Australia’s 537 councils, and was prepared to support ALGA’s submission to the inquiry into local government sustainability. Some of the key findings+
Posted 3 July, 2024 -
The 2024 National State of the Assets Report – Future proofing our communities is the 6th in a series of comprehensive reports commissioned by ALGA, based on survey data from 458 councils (about 85 per cent of local governments) across eight asset categories. The report was prepared with the support of IPWEA. Download a copy of+
Posted 2 July, 2024 -
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+
Posted 28 June, 2024 -
Local governments could boost Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by up to $7 billion per year and create more liveable communities if councils were sustainably funded by the Federal Government, a Parliamentary Committee was told today. New research, due to be released by ALGA next week, shows a $1 billion annual investment in local government+
Posted 27 June, 2024 -
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,+
Posted 25 June, 2024 -
Councils are advised the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Management System (IMS) portal will be unavailable from 11 pm on Wednesday 31 July until 12 pm on Monday 19 August, to cleanse and migrate data to the new Reporting and Program Management (RPM) portal. Please note, during this time local governments will not be able to access+
Posted 25 June, 2024 -
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+
Posted 23 June, 2024 -
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+
Posted 14 June, 2024 -
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+
Posted 12 June, 2024 -
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+
Posted 11 June, 2024 -
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+
Posted 6 June, 2024 -
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+
Posted 31 May, 2024 -
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+
Posted 28 May, 2024 -
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+
Posted 17 May, 2024 -
The Albanese Government has broken its pre-election promise to provide “fair increases” to Financial Assistance Grants to Australia’s 537 councils in tonight’s 2024-25 Federal Budget. ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said these untied federal grants are vital to supporting local government to deliver more affordable housing, and cost-of-living relief through access to free and low-cost+
Posted 14 May, 2024 -
ALGA News sat down with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia’s (IPWEA) CEO David Jenkins to discuss the importance of building, maintaining and revitalising community infrastructure to benefit communities. Mr Jenkins also highlighted that improving local assets like libraries, community halls, sporting facilities and playgrounds as well as local roads enhances the quality of+
Posted 14 May, 2024 -
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+
Posted 13 May, 2024 -
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE New national research has revealed a $1 billion improvement in the condition of Australia’s libraries, recreation centres, galleries, cultural centres and community halls over the past three years. ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said a $500 million per year local government community infrastructure fund would support councils to continue to maintain and+
Posted 13 May, 2024 -
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+
Posted 3 May, 2024 -
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+
Posted 2 May, 2024 -
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+
Posted 30 April, 2024 -
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+
Posted 29 April, 2024 -
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+
Posted 29 April, 2024 -
A national approach to kerbside recycling will help Australia’s 537 councils to reduce the five mega tonnes (MT) of waste sent to Australian landfills every year – equivalent to the weight of about 31 Sydney Opera Houses. Through its 2024-25 Federal Budget submission, ALGA is seeking $120 million over four years to standardise kerbside bins+
Posted 22 April, 2024 -
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+
Posted 19 April, 2024 -
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+
Posted 15 April, 2024 -
As many local governments interact with and provide direct services to older Australians, CarerHelp provides free and trustworthy online information and resources to Australians caring for someone with a life-limiting illness. CarerHelp addresses end of life topics including managing common symptoms, emotional care, financial matters, caring for the dying person, and managing grief. There is+
Posted 12 April, 2024 -
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?+
Posted 10 April, 2024 -
ALGA President Cr Linda Scott will officially open the inaugural Careers at Council Jobs Summit hosted by LGNSW in Sydney on 1 May. The summit provides the opportunity for local government decision-makers to learn more about recent changes in the employment market and share successful council practices to building a skilled and sustainable workforce. Aimed+
Posted 9 April, 2024