Councils blocked from federal infrastructure process

The local government peak for Queensland is calling for the overturn of a decision to block councils from submitting critical proposals to Infrastructure Australia.

Local Government Association of Queensland said the federal government’s decision to remove the ability of councils to present directly to the independent statutory body was disappointing. “Queensland councils want to ensure our state gets its fair share of funding and that every Queensland community is a liveable one through the provision of the infrastructure they need,” LGAQ president Matt Burnett said.

Alison Smith (supplied)

LGAQ argued that Queensland is unlike its interstate counterparts. “They support communities in the most decentralised and disaster-prone state, amid the highest migration and with an Olympic Games on the horizon. They have different responsibilities and play a key role in identifying nation-building projects,” chief executive Alison Smith said.

It is crucial that councils have the ability to identify and nominate essential infrastructure projects of national significance, added Smith, “especially given the pivotal role Infrastructure Australia’s priority list plays in determining the federal government’s infrastructure spend. Without this ability, local communities will be left behind.”

Following the Commonwealth’s decision 14 months ago to only fund infrastructure on a 50:50 funding basis, the latest announcement is a “double blow”, said LGAQ.

“The LGAQ, on behalf of Queensland councils, has been advocating to reinstate the original 80:20 funding arrangement ever since the 50:50 funding change was announced in 2023,” Smith said.

While welcoming the decision of the federal government to return to the 80:20 funding split in order to progress safety works on the Bruce Highway, Smith said: “We now need to see both the federal government and federal opposition agree to a full return to the 80:20 funding split – not just for the Bruce Highway – but for all roads and infrastructure funding, alongside the reinstatement of the right of councils to submit proposals directly to Infrastructure Australia for inclusion in the infrastructure priority list.”

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