Ahead of the state election, Queensland councils have asked for an overhaul of the grants and subsidies framework saying the current model hinders effective long-term planning.
The ask, which forms part of a ten-point plan of policy priorities, also includes a request to maintain a baseline of funding to local government of $500 million per annum plus indexation, a state-wide dedicated allocative annual fund for essential services and infrastructure and three million over three years to establish a regional network of expertise to support local assets.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said that effective fiscal management could only happen when councils had greater certainly and input in directing funding to areas of genuine community need.
“It’s critical that Queensland communities can look to the future and understand where the money is coming from and where it’s going to be invested.” Mayor Jamieson said.
“By federal and state government recognising the very powerful position that local governments occupy in terms of our ability to spend and invest resources quickly to deliver what the community wants, that’s a better outcome for them”.
“The State Government can get real by understanding that long-term planning is critical.”