May 10, 2023
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has described Tuesday night’s Federal Budget as a “solid investment” in local government but is disappointed with some aspects.
Councils will receive $3.1 billion in Financial Assistance Grants over the next 12 months, but ALGA president Cr Linda Scott said it was disappointing the government had again not delivered on its pre-election promise of “fair increases” to these grants.
“Local governments will continue to work with the government to see this happen, returning local government funding to at least 1 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue,” Cr Scott said.
“Our local roads are in a state of significant disrepair, with increasingly frequent natural disasters as a result of dangerous climate change.
“ALGA welcomes the $500 million in local road funding, and will continue to advocate for a significant increase to the Roads to Recovery Program that will support all councils to build better, more resilient roads.”
Cr Scott said councils would miss the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which was not extended in this year’s Budget.
“Established in 2020, the LRCI program has been successful in helping all councils deliver much-needed local infrastructure projects, including libraries, community sporting fields, local roads, parks and playgrounds,” she said.
“The demise of the LRCI Program will be partially offset by two new urban funding programs: a $200 million Thriving Suburbs Program and a $150 million Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, alongside the Growing Regions and Regional Precinct Funds.
“Local governments successfully advocated for the establishment of the $200 million Disaster Ready Fund, to enable us to invest to better prevent damage from natural disasters.
“Councils are delighted to see the Disaster Ready Fund continued, along with new Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Remediation, allowing councils to better protect our communities from flooding and other natural disasters in the future.”
“ALGA also welcomes the extension of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, a new $10 million National Waste Education campaign, as well as an extension of $20 million per year supplementary road funding for South Australian councils disadvantaged by the national local roads funding formula.”
