Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s (CGRC) mayor Councillor Abb McAlister said he welcomed the pledge by the Coalition to invest $1Billion into Local Government nationwide through a revitalised ‘Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program’.
Over many years Local Government has seen a decrease in funding programs, whilst expectations have been raised to deliver more services. Worse still, Local Government has also seen a massive amount of costs shifted to it by other levels of government from both sides to local councils further burdening the ratepayers.
In the lead up to an election, this announcement is good news. Aging infrastructure and assets, current and future environmental and climate adaptations, housing shortages, managing vast road networks and the rising expectations of our communities are placing significant financial strain on councils.
“We have seen a substantial decrease in the Australian Government Financial Assistance Grants, FAGs, these grants were once 1% of Australian taxation venue, they have now reduced to 0.5%. The CMA will be campaigning on our behalf to have these grants restored to that 1%. These grants primarily are used for local road and general-purpose programs.
I welcome any announcement that will see a focus on funding for local government and we look for all parties to put funding into Local Government the form of government closest to the people,” Mayor McAlister added.
-END-
