The Coalition’s proposed Regional Australia Future Fund is a great opportunity to deliver long-term secure funding for regional councils, but must include non-competitive, formula-based funding streams.
ALGA President Matt Burnett said: “It’s fantastic to see the Coalition hear our calls for increased funding that recognises the extraordinary pressures on our regional, rural and remote councils.
“This election we are calling for $3.5 billion per year in formula-based funding to address the financial stressors on councils to meet modern community needs,” Mayor Burnett said.
“With massive road networks to build and maintain, and ratepayers spread over vast geographic areas, many of our regional councils are facing unique and additional challenges.
“It’s crucial that the Regional Australia Futures Fund supports formula-based, non-competitive funding to all regional councils to ensure that every community benefits.
“Continued reliance on competitive funding programs hinders our ability to plan and budget for the long-term needs of our communities.”
Mayor Burnett said the recent Parliamentary inquiry into local government sustainability’s interim report highlighted the clear need for increased funding to all councils through non-competitive, formula-based funding programs.
“We need sustainable, long-term support, and we get the best results when this funding is channelled to councils through formula-based programs such as Financial Assistance Grants and Roads to Recovery, or the previous Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program,” Mayor Burnett said.
“ALGA is calling on all parties to commit to providing councils with $3.5 billion per year through five new non-competitive, formula-based funding programs, including:
- $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, and
- $400 million per year for climate adaptation.
Find out more: https://putourcommunitiesfirst.com.au/