In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Bill Mitchell, President of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).
Sometimes it is the little things that matter the most – like the bubbles in champagne or the bungs in a boat. Local Governments across Australia know the importance of the little things to the community because it is the sector of government that most interacts with people in a tangible way, every day of their lives.
Unfortunately, being in touch with people and understanding the little things that make a real difference doesn’t seem to matter as much to the State Government in Western Australia, and that is creating a big problem. How big? About $1.75 billion and this is increasing at the rate of $120 million each year.
That is the size of the backlog in community infrastructure in Western Australia that requires urgent attention. It comprises little things, such as repairs to a local road, keeping the swimming pool safe or renovations to local sports club rooms – not important to big government departments, but vital to everyone in the community who uses them.
To read the recent WA State Budget papers you would never guess there is a $1.75 billion backlog in community infrastructure. The WA Budget boasts a $7.6 billion ‘record capital works program’ but doesn’t concern itself with small community level infrastructure. It is all about ‘iconic’ projects with foundation stones and brass plaques that glorify those who spent the taxpayers’ dollars but does nothing to save the life of somebody’s son or daughter on a back street or country road.
For example, WA local roads that make up 72 per cent of all roads in the State will share an estimated $116 million in funding, well less than a fifth of that allocated to the big projects. And this is only due to a previously negotiated Road Funding Agreement that delivers 27 per cent of all vehicle licensing fees to local roads. It reflects a windfall in vehicle registrations rather than a new strategic vision by the State.
Don’t be mistaken, Local Government is grateful for this increase in funding but the reality on the ground, in local communities, on local roads where 67 per cent of the serious crashes and deaths occur, is that there is an increasing deficit in what is funded and what is required.
Just after the WA State Budget was handed down, the Federal Budget was announced and at least there was some acknowledgement of the infrastructure backlog faced by local communities.
Most promising was the announcement that the Federal Government will establish a Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program from 2009–10. Certainly it would have been preferable to be established sooner rather than later as the backlog will only worsen, however it is a move in the right direction.
Meanwhile the WA State Government says that by building the big things – a new football stadium, a new museum and a redeveloped Perth waterfront – it is investing in the future of the State. However the future of the State will also require investment in the little things.
