Pickard wins Australian Local Government Association presidency

First WA chief for 30 years expected to take fight up to Canberra.

13 November, 2014

Stalled $2.1bn Roads to Recovery funding finally jump-started

Anger over length of legislative delay.

2 September, 2014

High Court school chaplains decision set to choke council money from Canberra

It may not have come as a surprise, but the Williams case MkII decision is exactly the legal nightmare local governments have unsuccessfully been fighting to avoid for years.

19 June, 2014

Councils unite in attack on Fed’s $925mil grants grab

Local governments across Australia have issued an overwhelming public rejection of federal Budget funding freezes likely to prompt rates hikes hit pensioners.

16 June, 2014

Revolt over $925 mil Budget raid on councils

Rates rises and big cuts to local community services set to roll as Financial Assistance Grants frozen.

16 May, 2014

Catastrophic impact warning from councils over axing of federal funds for local government

The National Commission of Audit’s recommendations to dump dozens of government programs could cut off cash flowing from Canberra to councils if direct funding programs are eliminated.

5 May, 2014

Councils call for $40 mil to mitigate natural disasters

Destruction caused by natural disasters has led to a concerted push by local governments for more money from Canberra and the states to alleviate potential future damage.

25 March, 2014

Local government head named South Australian Citizen of the Year

By Julian Bajkowski The president of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and the Mayor City of Marion, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis, has been named as South Australia’s Australian of the Year for 2014. While Dr Lewis is best known outside the state for her tireless campaigning and lobbying on behalf of local government and community […]

19 November, 2013

Truss out to mend bridges for councils

By Julian Bajkowski The Abbott government is wasting no time in pushing its roads-led infrastructure renewal policy to the nation’s councils, after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, pledged $300 million to replace decaying small bridges. In a speech pitched squarely at regional councils and the road freight industry, […]

15 November, 2013

Local roads and bridges facing ruin hits $11.6bn

By Julian Bajkowski If you ever thought the number of problem potholes and bumpy bridges on regional roads just seems to keep growing, you’re in good company. At least $11.6 billion in roads and bridge infrastructure maintained by cash-strapped councils across Australia are now in a poor to very poor condition according to the latest […]

14 November, 2013

ALGA warning over $150 million regional funding gap

By Julian Bajkowski Councils and local governments across Australia are digging in for a battle to try and keep $150 million of federal infrastructure funding promised under the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) after the Coalition refused to guarantee the money if it wins government. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) on Friday upped the […]

6 September, 2013

Crocodile tears flow for referendum sacrifice

By Julian Bajkowski Councils across Australia will soon be forced to explain to ratepayers how much of their money was spent pushing the ‘Yes’ case for the proposed referendum on financial recognition for local government in the Constitution after the poll officially bit the dust on Sunday. The announcement of a 7th September election date […]

6 August, 2013

Referendum teeters as Rudd makes King latest Local Government Minister

By Julian Bajkowski and Paul Hemsley Australia’s 565 councils and shires have been handed their third federal minister for Local Government in as many months on the back of an inevitable reshuffle following the second incarnation of Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister. Member for Ballarat, Catherine King has been elevated into Cabinet under a simplified […]

2 July, 2013

Albanese shells out another $150m to share between councils

By Paul Hemsley Councils across Australia have warmly welcomed federal Minister for Local Government Anthony Albanese’s injection of $150 million to share between councils and shires to help build and renew community infrastructure. Formally announced at the National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in Canberra this week, the funding measure formed the centrepiece of […]

20 June, 2013