Indigo Shire Mayor, Sophie Price has welcomed the findings of a State Government inquiry into local government funding and services, saying many of the recommendations if implemented will have a significant impact on Council's future financial sustainability.
The Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee has tabled its findings which includes 48 recommendations addressing rate capping, grants, cost shifting, core services and the financial sustainability of local councils.
Cr Price says Indigo Shire provided a submission and gave evidence to the enquiry, and she's pleased that many of the issues raised are reflected in the report, specifically the impacts of cost shifting by the federal and state governments onto local councils.
The report calls for reviews of the ratings system and rate cap formula, increased untied funding for councils to address key areas such as roads, and the consideration of growth funds to support infrastructure for different groups of councils experiencing rapid growth.
"We particularly welcome the recommendation that the Federal Government's annual Financial Assistance Grants be increased to 1% of federal revenue and that there be a more streamlined approach to disaster recovery funding, which has been very challenging for us over recent years," Cr Price says.
"Importantly, we are now calling on the State Government to take the report seriously and implement the recommendations as soon as possible."
