The peak body representing Queensland’s 77 councils has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of ongoing funding certainty for a vital water and sewerage program supporting regional communities across the state.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) CEO Alison Smith thanked Treasurer Cameron Dick and Water Minister Glenn Butcher for announcing extra and ongoing support at $2 million a year for the Queensland Water Regional Alliance Program (QWRAP) in the Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review (MYFER).
“We are extremely grateful to the Government for recognising the value of QWRAP. This program is a partnership between the State, the LGAQ, Qldwater and more than 60 eligible councils and this funding will ensure even more regional Queensland communities can benefit through regional collaboration and innovation,” she said.
Ms Smith reiterated the LGAQ’s thanks for the State’s decision to also deliver funding certainty to councils through the continuation of advance waste levy payments to councils at 105 per cent next financial year.
These were two requests outlined by the LGAQ to Treasurer Cameron Dick in a MYFER submission the Association made to the Government earlier this year.
The LGAQ also requested the State use the MYFER to restore funding to the Government’s highly successful Works for Queensland job-creation program.
This program has historically been funded at $100 million a year but that support is due to reduce to $70 million in 2022/23 before dropping to $30 million the following financial year.
“Works for Queensland has been an extremely successful partnership between the State and local government to the benefit of Queensland’s regional communities,” Ms Smith said.
“It has funded more than 2000 projects and supported more than 22,000 jobs.”
Ms Smith said the LGAQ was disappointed the State did not take the opportunity to restore the Works for Queensland funding as councils had hoped.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure this program can keep delivering for regional Queensland into the future,” she said.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, External Relations Director
Local Government Association of Queensland