MidCoast Council's Mayor has called on all candidates for Lyne in the forthcoming Federal election to commit to sustainable funding for local Councils.
Mayor Claire Pontin said Councils are now receiving around half of the level of Financial Assistance Grants that were received 30 years ago.
"This is very alarming," Mayor Pontin said.
"We are trying to deliver all the services the community wants and deserves, but without the financial support we used to get from Government.
"I am asking every candidate for the electorate of Lyne to commit publicly to supporting this campaign to increase Commonwealth Government support to local Councils. If they don't they need to explain why to the voters."
Historically, the Federal Government has provided one per cent of tax revenue back to local councils to assist in providing vital local services and facilities. This funding has since reduced to around 0.5% of tax revenue.
"Councils, especially regional and rural Councils without other non-rates income, have been hung out to dry," said Mayor Pontin.
"We need to get our fair share of funding support from the Commonwealth. We cannot go on squeezing budgets to provide meagre services to our local communities. I ask all candidates to get behind this push for a better deal for our local communities."
Mayor Pontin said that State and National advocacy groups for Councils (LGNSW and ALGA) are calling on the Commonwealth Government to provide Councils with significantly more funding for safer, better local roads; housing infrastructure; natural disaster emergency response; and mitigating the impacts of a changing climate.
"I will be writing to all candidates explaining the situation and calling for public responses. If residents want to see a change, they need to do the same."
