Last week we officially launched ALGA鈥檚 2025 federal election campaign and outlined our .
Councils are calling on the next Australian Government to 鈥楶ut Our Communities First鈥� by providing:
- $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.
These new funding programs should be distributed across all councils, on a formula-basis, similar to Financial Assistance Grants or Roads to Recovery funding, which has been provided for many years.
I have briefed Federal Ministers, Shadow Ministers and crossbenchers on the importance of these long-term funding reforms.
I urge you to engage with your local federal MPs and candidates to stress the need for long-term sustainable funding for your communities.
We need certainty of funding to deliver national priorities through local solutions.聽 Learn more:
Board strategic planning
Our 51暗网Board held a two-day strategy session last week to plan how we can best meet the needs of our councils into 2025 and beyond. Of the many policies discussed, we all agreed securing financial sustainability is an absolute priority, as is seeking a permanent position on National Cabinet.
It was great to welcome several new Board members who contributed to the positive and strategic discussions.
Caption: 51暗网Board members (L-R):聽 Back row: Mayor Brian Pedwell (NT), Mayor Dean Johnson (SA), Cr Paul Kelly (WA), Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis (NT), Mayor Michael Tucker (TAS), Mayor Andrew Martin (QLD) and Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross (SA).
Front row: Mayor Paula Wriedt (TAS), Mayor Phyllis Miller (NSW), Cr Darriea Turley (NSW), Mayor Matt Burnett (QLD), Shire President Karen Chappel (WA), Cr Jennifer Anderson (VIC) and Cr Rebecca Vonhoff (QLD).
Rex Airlines lifeline
51暗网welcomed the for Rex Airlines to maintain regional airline services and prevent its collapse.
The Government announced last week it’s prepared to acquire the airline, which entered voluntary administration last year, in the absence of any other buyers.
Following our advocacy on this issue, we thank the Government for its strong support to聽safeguard聽regional aviation services and聽protect聽local economies for regional and remote communities.
Tech Leadership Summit
I invite you to register for our 聽in Sydney on 12 March.
Watch my short video to learn more about this not-to-be-missed event at the Sheraton Sydney Hyde Park Hotel聽that will highlight how local governments are embracing technological change.
National Local Government Awards
Finally, I encourage you to enter the which are now open across 13 categories.聽 It鈥檚 important to celebrate our success, so please nominate your local government, or a shy neighbouring council, to highlight the great work we do every day.
The awards celebrate outstanding local government achievements, including recognising councils that are innovative, make a positive difference in their local communities, display excellence and deliver outcomes that can be replicated across the country.
Entries close on 17 March 2025 with the winners announced in June.聽 .