Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), Mayor Rick Firman OAM, has welcomed this week’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program funding pledge from the Coalition.
“It is encouraging to see the most community-connected tier of Government receiving some of the attention it deserves in the Australian Government election lead-up,” said Chair Firman.
“Rate hikes in NSW have been due to State Government cost-shifting and Australian Government funding cuts from both major parties, during an era of major operational cost increases.
“The Dutton-Littleproud Coalition has announced in a campaign pledge that they would invest a promoted $1 billion into Local Government nationwide, through a revitalised ‘Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program’. This is certainly a positive step in the right direction and the CMA Board, Members and I say thank you!”
Federal Shadow Minister for Local Government, Darren Chester MP, has criticised the Labor Government for failing to deliver on its’ previous election promise to deliver ‘fair increases’ to Financial Assistance Grants.
“The CMA and every other peak Local Government body in Australia has been campaigning for Australian Government Financial Assistance Grants to be returned to one percent (1%) of Australian taxation revenue, from the 0.5% they have dwindled down to,” Chair Firman said.
“Country Mayors in NSW are pleased that the spotlight has been directed onto the inadequacy of the Financial Assistance Grants that they depend on.
“However, there is no commitment from the Government, Coalition or any other Party to improve the broad, untied funding program.
“If the Albanese Government is to approach this election with any credibility, we must see a genuine Financial Assistance Grants response to the Federal Local Government Sustainability inquiry.
“Again, we thank the Coalition for pledging the return of the popular LRCI Grant Program. It would be very well received. We are yet to hear about any additional support for rural, regional and remote communities from the Labor Government, other Parties or candidates, which disappoints us greatly,” Chair Firman said.
