$245M INFRASTRUCTURE BONUS FOR COUNCILS
01 Jul 2009
The Prime Minister has allocated a further $245m to local government for community infrastructure. The announcement was made following the 2009 National General Assembly.
A further $245m has been allocated to local government for community infrastructure and sector reform initiatives. The surprise announcement was made by the Prime Minister on June 25 at the meeting of all Mayors and Shire Presidents (the Australian Council of Local Government), which followed the 2009 National General Assembly.
"Today's announcement is great news for every community across Australia," said Cr Goeff Lake, President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). "It shows that the Australian Government is serious about backing up its new partnership with councils with real financial investment into local government."
"In the past six months, more than $1 billion has been allocated by the Rudd Government to councils to fund community infrastructure at the local level. This is the most significant advancement in local government funding in almost a decade."
"Local government also welcomes the $25 million announced to fund reform initiatives. This responds to ALGA's call for funding to support asset management reform across local government and we believe this money can be used to drive real reform to help councils manage their assets."
2009 National General Assembly
The 2009 National General Assembly of Local Government was held June 21 – 24 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.
The NGA is the most significant event on the national local government calendar. This year’s theme was Rising to the Challenge: Infrastructure, Climate Change and Financing and had Mayors, Shire Presidents, Councillors and Senior Council Officers from across Australia in attendance.
A number of important issues were debated at the NGA in relation to future local government financing, funding for infrastructure and managing the effects of climate change.
This year’s NGA was designed to give delegates the maximum opportunity for participation, to ensure that all Australian communities and states are represented and to reflect the views of local government nationally.
A number of senior political leaders participated in this year’s NGA including: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese; Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull; Leader of the Nationals, Shadow Minister for Trade, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Warren Truss; Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Bob Brown; Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, the Hon Greg Combet AM, MP; and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy.
The meeting of all Mayors and Shire Presidents with the Prime Minister (the Australian Council of Local Government) followed the NGA on June 25.
Visit: www.nga.alga.asn.au/event/2009/
ALGA
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the national voice of more than 560 local government bodies. It is a federation of state and territory local government associations, and includes the ACT Government.
ALGA’s key activities include:
• Representation of local government on national bodies and ministerial councils
• Providing submissions to government and parliamentary inquiries
• Raising the profile and concerns of local government at the national level
• Providing forums for local government to guide the development of national local government policies.
ALGA’s strategic priorities are:
• Strengthening local government finances
• Sustaining local roads, transport and other infrastructure
• Improving natural and built environmental outcomes
• Enhancing regional equity and regional development
• Building capacity and sustainability in local communities
• Connecting member associations and the Local Government sector
• Engaging effectively in National Government processes
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