Sunshine Coast Council is joining the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) in demanding more Federal funding for much-needed infrastructure and services that our community needs and deserves.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said that more and more tasks were being handed down to local councils from the Queensland and Australian Governments and the funding contribution did not match increasing demands.
"We are taking on more responsibilities without enough compensation," Mayor Natoli said.
"For instance, local governments are now responsible for managing more than three-quarters of our roads.
"Without the necessary financial assistance, this puts increasing pressure on rates which is neither a sustainable nor viable option going forward.
"With the Federal Election approaching, our Council's focus is on making sure our region gets the support it needs and deserves, and a fair share of funding to deliver infrastructure and services to our community.
"Restoring the value of Australian Financial Assistance Grants to 1 per cent of total Australian tax revenue would mean approximately an additional $12 million for the Sunshine Coast.
"That is a modest ask that I am calling on the Australian Government to answer."
The last 20 years has seen a significant erosion of Australian Government funding for the invaluable infrastructure and services delivered by councils to support the needs of our communities.
In the mid-1990s, the value of Australian Financial Assistance Grants - the federal funding supporting councils - sat at approximately 2 per cent of total Australian taxation revenue.
Today, it sits at just 0.5 per cent. That means for every $100 of tax paid by Sunshine Coast Council residents, only 50 cents is returned to Council to fund essential community services such as parks, playgrounds, rubbish collection and recycling, and community facilities such as libraries, sports grounds and pools.
Time for fairer funding
Mayor Natoli welcomed the simultaneous call from the LGAQ to all Federal Election candidates to repair the broken funding model.
The LGAQ has released a suite of measures that will deliver real, on-the-ground support for communities creating a $73.8 billion dividend to the Queensland economy and more than 105,000 jobs.
Along with a fairer funding model, the LGAQ is calling for improved insurance and disaster management to protect communities, including an expansion of the voluntary home buy back scheme, measures to make insurance more available and affordable, and funding to better rebuild after natural disasters.
The LGAQ has also put forward measures to empower First Nations communities, support transitioning communities, delete the digital divide, and protect our environment.
"We wholeheartedly support and applaud the important work the LGAQ is doing on behalf of councils across Queensland," Mayor Natoli said.
"We are proud to join forces with the LGAQ and our counterparts across the state to advocate for the change our communities need this Federal Election.
"By working together, we can ensure funding is directed to where it is needed most in our community, creating a balanced and sustainable region that provides for our community now and in the future."
