A new $500 million community infrastructure annual fund for all Australian councils is needed to revitalise local assets, including libraries, playgrounds, bike paths, recreation centres and sporting fields.
As part of the Put Our Communities First campaign, ALGA is calling for the next Australian Government to deliver a new formula-based fund to help local governments build, maintain and upgrade local facilities which are vital to the wellbeing and liveability of every community.
ALGA President Mayor Matt Burnett said: “There’s an urgent need for more investment in community infrastructure, with many of our ageing facilities requiring significant attention.
“The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program – initiated by the Coalition in 2020 and extended by Labor – was fantastic, and helped deliver an almost $1 billion improvement in the condition of our local facilities, according to ALGA’s 2024 National State of the Assets report.
“However, the LRCI was discontinued and we need a $500 million per year replacement program, provided to all councils on a non-competitive formula basis, to address local priorities and build and maintain the infrastructure our communities need.
“In the cost-of-living crisis, council libraries, recreation centres, skate parks and playgrounds are more important than ever, and we must protect, revitalise and maintain these community assets for future generations.”
As part of the national campaign, ALGA has outlined four other key funding priorities to provide a significant uplift to all council budgets, including:
- $1.1 billion per year for enabling infrastructure to unlock housing supply,
- $600 million per year for safer local roads,
- $900 million per year for increased local government emergency management capability and capacity, and
- $400 million per year for climate adaptation.
Find out more: https://putourcommunitiesfirst.com.au/