As we begin 2011, it is no surprise that climate change is again high on the Local Government agenda, along with planning, transport and health. But according to the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Councillor Genia McCaffery, increasing awareness of the need for constitutional recognition will be the year’s main priority.
Late in 2010, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that constitutional recognition of Local Government would be one of the questions put forward for referendum at the 2013 election. If successful, the words ‘and Local Government’ will be added to section 96 of the Australian Constitution – recognising the Federal Government’s right to financially support Local Government.
“Following the 2009 Pape Case, which confirmed doubts about the Federal Government’s right to fund Local Government, this referendum will be crucial to ensure that our funding doesn’t cease,” Councillor McCaffery said. “We have the bipartisan support of politicians at all levels, but we now need to work with our communities, State Governments, State Associations and councils to build understanding of the important role councils play in our communities. We do not underestimate this task. Few referendums have been successful, but the Federal Government’s $250,000 grant will give us a good start to this campaign.”
During 2011 ALGA will also focus on practical issues, such as ensuring there is continuing funding for community infrastructure.
“Over the last two years, Australian Government grants of $450 million have been rolled out to councils, in addition to $670 million in competitive grants for infrastructure,” Councillor McCaffery said. “Almost every project has been delivered on time and on budget, providing an excellent example of a successful partnership between Local and Federal Government. I am keen to see this very important program deliver more good results and will lobby to see it continued.”
Councillor McCaffery said that planning will also remain a key issue.
“We have been under enormous pressure, with some State Governments attempting to weaken councils’ role and blame them for housing affordability issues,” she said. “We have strongly opposed the push to automatically allow complying development for high density housing to go ahead and we will continue to do what is best for our communities.
“Good planning involves more than just a focus on economic results – as is being driven from the Federal Government. Good planning is about ensuring that communities have a say in the planning process where they are affected, and it must consider social and environmental impacts as well.”
While Local Government has consistently been a strong advocate of the need for action on climate change, the national focus has dropped off over the last few months. However, with a successful COP16 (Conference of the Parties) summit in Mexico in December, it is sure to return as a big ticket item in 2011.
Councillor McCaffery said ALGA strongly supports a price on carbon, but wants to ensure that any Federal policy or program introduced does not adversely affect Local Government.
“In 2010, ALGA was successful in removing legacy waste from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), which, had it gone ahead, would have cost Local Government more than $300 million a year for absolutely no benefit in terms of reduced emissions,” she said. “Although the CPRS ultimately failed, it is a good indication of the influence we can have.
“We will continue to work closely with the Government in 2011 to develop a practical scheme, that has no unintended costs for councils, and to ensure we receive funding to meet our targets.
“Local Government is a large consumer of energy, with its street lighting, waste, heating and cooling. It is also best placed to deliver local solutions, but we must have financial support from the Federal Government to do so.”
With Roads to Recovery (R2R) due to expire in 2014, and a new funding study identifying a $1.2 billion shortfall on rural roads, transport is also high on the national agenda. Councillor McCaffery said ALGA will use this funding study in its campaign to make R2R a permanent fixture.
“The Government is also looking at a new road pricing scheme for heavy vehicle charges, and as such, ALGA will be campaigning to ensure that Local Government gets its fair share,” she said. “Local Government is responsible for more than 80 per cent of Australia’s road network, so it is crucial that we are involved in the new COAG (Council of Australian Government) pricing reform.”
Another priority to be built on in the coming year is Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese’s announcement of Australia’s first ever National Urban Policy.
In addition, Councillor McCaffery said that pressure on major cities from growing populations could be relieved through the National Broadband Network (NBN), which has the potential to encourage growth at the regional level.
“The NBN will increase service delivery and, ultimately, a region’s capacity to attract businesses,” she said. “This is a key advantage for rural communities and major cities alike, as more and more people will look to do business in regional centres, rather than increasing the urban sprawl.”
As an important female role model herself, Councillor McCaffery recognised the importance of highlighting women, encouraging and supporting them to step up. As such, she pointed to the Year of Women in Local Government (YoWiLG) as another 2010 success.
“Some people were cynical that it was just a year, but it gave everyone an opportunity to focus on, learn and recognise the problems associated with low representation of women in Local Government, and ways to improve that. Most importantly, it has got people talking about the issue and the enormous contribution more women can make.”
