About LGANT  > Newsletters and Media Releases  > Media Releases  > A Fair Share for Local Communities

A Fair Share for Local Communities

The Northern Territory Local Government Association (LGANT) strongly supported today’s launch of the Australian Local Government Association’s Blueprint for Building Better Communities.

LGANT President, Mayor Fran Kilgariff endorsed the comment in the report that “Despite growing responsibilities, local government had for many years been under-funded, under-resourced and under-valued”.

“It is vitally important that the 30 year old, grossly inadequate and unfair system of financial assistance grants be replaced with one that provides genuine growth and a fair share of national taxation revenue”’ Mayor Kilgariff said.

“This is particularly so for Councils in the Northern Territory”, said Mayor Kilgariff. “For example last year, Darwin City Council received $1.23m in federal assistance grants funding while Ballarat Council with a similar population received $6.2m. Katherine Town Council received $490,000 and again a similar sized town in Victoria, Ararat Council received $1.9 million. Alice Springs Town Council received just over $1m while Mt Isa Council, with a population 30% less, received $1.9 million.”

“I fully support the ALGA’s call for a new funding system for local government, and I call on all Territory candidates in the federal election to give their commitment to a new deal for Councils in the NT”, Mayor Kilgariff said.

Ends

31 August 2004

Contact: LGANT President Alderman Fran Kilgariff0419 376 060

Manager Communications Phil Maynard8936 2890

0429 090 833

Blueprint for Building Better Communities

SUMMARY OF KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Blueprint for Building Better Communities calls on the major parties to commit themselves to:

· Provide local government with access to a fair share of Commonwealth taxation revenue

· Develop an intergovernmental agreement to eliminate the practice of ‘cost shifting’ by federal and state governments to local government

· Achieve recognition of local government in the Australian constitution

· Develop partnerships with local government in which local government is treated as an equal partner

· Inclusion of local government in the AusLink planning and decision-making process

· Secure, long term funding for local roads to meet existing and future transport needs

· Better support for regional airports

· New assistance for local traffic and transport services (sustainable public transport)

· Better involvement of councils in national environmental programs

· Greater assistance for regional development and regions facing significant economic restructuring

· Develop and trial enterprise zones in regional Australia

· National support for public libraries

· Support for regions facing shortages of specialist health and other workers

· Assistance for councils that need to provide facilities such as medical surgeries and accommodation in order to recruit and retain health professionals to regional areas

· Develop a new immunisation incentive program for councils

· New funding for council aged care programs

· Build on the significant Federal/local government partnership to further enhance the capacity of councils to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population

· Ongoing support for online service programs in local government

Blueprint for Building Better Communities can be accessed on the ALGA website at: www.agla.asn.au