Statement from LGAQ President Mark Jamieson
Data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that Queensland councils spent just over $1 billion on sports and recreation for the 2017-18 financial year.
LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said the data shows that councils are central to Queenslander’s quality of life, and despite increasing financial pressures councils continue to support their communities.
“These activities are vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities, and provide a social connection for many people,” he said.
“As I constantly say, councils have their noses to the grindstone, providing a wide range of sports and cultural facilities as well as the essential infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage and drainage.”
“Queensland councils manage $150 billion in community infrastructure, and local governments across Australia manage one-third of the nation’s public infrastructure. Councils do that with just over 3 percent of the nation’s public revenue.”
“It’s a remarkable commitment that Queensland councils invest so significantly in sport and recreation for their communities.”