The local government sector welcomed the timely confirmations in the Federal Budget of $7.2 billion for Bruce Highway safety upgrades and $1.2 billion in Cyclone Alfred support.
However, the game changer for councils is the Federal Financial Assistance Grants which provide untied funding to councils to prioritise their unique community needs – but tonight those Federal grants have flatlined, failing to deliver on Labor’s previous commitment to the sector of a “fair increase”.
Restoring Financial Assistance Grants to 1 per cent of tax revenue is key to guaranteeing liveability and affordability for ratepayers. However, tonight’s Budget sees them stuck on just 0.51 per cent of tax revenue.
LGAQ President Matt Burnett said councils had presented a suite of measures that would deliver liveability for communities, as well as creating an economic boost and jobs which would now also form the basis of the sector’s Federal platform.
“Councils are caught between the rock of a broken Federal funding regime and the hard place of reasonable community demands and cost shifting from other levels of government and the private sector,” Mayor Burnett said.
“Without fair funding from the Federal Government councils are having to look at rate rises or cutting services – neither place is where ratepayers want them to be.
“This is simply not acceptable in a cost-of-living crisis.
“Queenslanders are rightfully alarmed. About 88 per cent say they are concerned that this shifting of costs is affecting their rates bill.
“The Treasurer and all Federal candidates need to remember voters are ratepayers too and make sure councils and their communities receive a fair deal.”
LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said better funded councils made more liveable communities.
“This Federal Budget is a missed opportunity to provide fair funding to councils, but there is still time for all parties and candidates to make amends by committing to making sure Queensland councils and the communities they represent get a fairer funding model,” Ms Smith said.
“It’s not good enough that councils and communities have been left behind, with a broken funding model hanging around since the 1970s when so much else has changed.
“The LGAQ has released a suite of measures that will deliver real, on-the-ground support for communities and their residents that would deliver a $73.8 billion dividend to the Queensland economy and more than 105,000 jobs.”
The LGAQ has asked the Federal Government, Opposition, MPs and candidates to put local councils and the communities they represent first and enhance community liveability in the following key areas:
- A fairer funding deal for councils
- Increase to First Nations housing
- Taking action on insurance
- Supporting the energy transition
- Enhancing disaster management
- Deleting the digital divide
- Protecting the environment
More details on the LGAQ’s campaign, highlighting the inadequacy of the 50-year-old Federal funding model continuing to support councils can be viewed at www.dontleaveusinthe70s.com.au