JUNE 2024
Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper
Bill to top $40m Damage to Cassowary Coast roads and infrastructure caused by ex-TC Jasper and subsequent flooding is estimated to reach $40 million, with councillors endorsing a new round of assessments to support recovery funding applications. While the process of seeking approval for recovery funding is underway, the council remains committed to a patrol grading program on its unsealed road network to provide short-term relief for users of the extensively damaged road network. Story page 6
Mayor Teresa Millwood said 40 per cent of the Cassowary Coast Councils’ roads are damaged due to extraordinary weather events.
Mixed blessings The 2024 Federal Budget has been a mixed bag for councils with an extra $150 million for the Roads to Recovery but no “fair increases” for Financial Assistance Grants to Australia’s 537 councils according to the peak body. ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said these untied federal grants were vital to supporting local government to deliver more affordable housing, and cost-of-living relief through access to free and low-cost services. “Local governments welcome the Federal Parliamentary inquiry into our financial sustainability over the long term, however councils and our communities need the immediate support that we were promised,” Cr Scott said. “In the lead up to the 2022 election, Labor committed to providing fair increases to Financial Assistance Grants to councils.” The Federal Budget was their last chance to deliver during their current term, Cr Scott said. “Councils will welcome a $155 million increase in Financial Assistance Grants this year.
However, this increase is the result of the legislated indexation formula, and far below the fair increases promised by the Government.” Cr Scott said this year’s Budget would have be “incredibly disappointing to many councils and communities that have been waiting for the Government to deliver on its fair funding promise over the past two years”. “Restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue is the key to unlocking the productivity of our cities, towns and regions, and building more liveable and vibrant communities.” Cr Scott also welcomed the intent of new housing and active transport funding programs, and the ongoing Disaster Ready Fund, but highlighted that poor program execution
would limit their success. “The $1 billion to support new housing enabling infrastructure will be provided through state and territory governments with no guarantee it will flow to councils dealing with housing pressures,” Cr Scott said. “Locking local governments out of federal funding to enable housing infrastructure will be a barrier to achieving the Government’s ambitious national targets. “Councils need upfront support to upgrade our stormwater and sewerage infrastructure, or we can’t unlock the additional homes our country needs. “The Government aims to build 1.2 million more homes, including 40,000 social and affordable homes and new remote homes in the
Northern Territory. The Treasurer has acknowledged we all must work together but it’s disappointing there is no new support in this Budget to help councils play our part. “While councils celebrate the aim of the Government’s new $100 million National Active Transport Fund, it doesn’t make sense to exclude councils from applying when we build and maintain thousands of kilometres of footpaths and cycleways.” However, Cr Scott said councils will be delighted to see the Government follow through on its November 2023 commitment to significantly increase road funding to local government. Continued page 2
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