April 15, 2025
Queensland councils have welcomed the Coalition’s promised $1 billion recurrent funding for councils, and called on the ALP to match the election commitment.
LGAQ president Matt Burnett said the $1 billion – which includes $500 million under a community infrastructure stream and $500 million for regional and rural councils to maintain and improve local roads– was one of the key election commitments Queensland councils had been seeking from the major parties.
“This announcement from the Federal Coalition of ongoing, sustainable allocative funding is an absolute gamechanger for Queensland councils,” Mayor Burnett said.
“We thank Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud and Shadow Minister for Local Government Darren Chester for listening to councils and delivering through this crucial funding commitment.
“We urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor to match this commitment.”
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In the lead-up to election, the Australian Local Government Association – the federal representative body for local councils – called for a $3.5 billion commitment and five non-competitive funding programs:
- $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
Related article: Nats Promise $1b A Year ‘Forever’
