The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has urged the Federal Government to commit $1.5 billion to a community infrastructure program ahead of the 2016-17 budget.
A Local Government Community Infrastructure Program costing $300 million per annum for the next five years was put forward for consideration in ALGA's pre-budget submission, aimed at combating an estimated $27 billion backlog in infrastructure funding nation-wide.
In its submission, ALGA requested that the government:
- Immediately restore the indexation of the Financial Assistance Grants;
- Establish a program directed at regional road projects, funded at $200 million per annum over the next five years, to ensure that first mile/last mile and freight connectivity issues are addressed to improve national productivity;
- Restore fairer roads funding for South Australia by reinstating the additional roads funding for South Australian councils of $17.5 million per annum;
- Make the Bridges Renewal Program permanent;
- Fund community infrastructure at a cost of $300 million per annum for the next four years to stimulate growth over the longer term and build community resilience;
- $100 million over four years to support local governments’ capacity to manage their own unique climate risks;
- Fund a targeted disaster mitigation program at a level of $200 million per annum; and
- Include betterment funding as a core element of Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
ALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard urges the government to give serious consideration to community infrastructure priorities in the May budget.
"ALGA acknowledges the Government's commitment to restrain expenditure responsibly, but these constraints should not be at the expense of support for essential community services or investment in infrastructure and initiatives that are vital to the sustainability of local communities," Pickard says.
"The findings in the 2015 ALGA State of the Assets report show that councils do not have the financial resources to bring community infrastructure up to a reasonable condition and are facing the ongoing challenge of a decades-long backlog and underspend on community infrastructure, which has limited their capacity to develop their communities and contribute to local and regional development.
"Support in the May budget of a Local Government Community Infrastructure Program would help build resilience and increase the overall prosperity of our communities.
"Local government is uniquely placed to implement a community infrastructure program and partner with the Government to ensure that community infrastructure is not only fit for purpose, but also delivers jobs and economic opportunities."
The full ALGA pre-budget submission can be viewed here.