The Australian Local Government Association will host its National Locals Road Congress in Toowoomba on 28 – 30 July. The Congress brings together Councils from across Australia with their major stakeholders to discuss funding for local roads.
This is the third congress in what has become a major event on the Local Government calendar. The Mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council hosted the first Congress in Moree in March 2000. The second Congress was held a year later in Mildura.
This event is supported by the Federal Minister for Transport, John Anderson, as well as his counterpart, Martin Ferguson, who will both participate in the Congress this year. Keynote speakers include Professor Allan Layton, chair of the road funding inquiry being undertaken by the Local Government Association of Queensland; Jane Gascoigne, Executive Director of the SA Local Government Grants Commission; and Paul Blake, Executive Director of the National Transport Secretariat.
A committee was established at last year’s Mildura Congress to build the case for increasing funding for local roads. This committee is chaired by Councillor John Wearne, who will report on its progress with a number of research studies to the Toowoomba Congress. The Congress is a must for those with an interest in local roads funding. Registration papers have been sent out to all Councils. However, they can also be downloaded from ALGA’s web site at www.alga.com.au.
Further information can be obtained from the Conference Secretariat on (07) 4631 2190 or email stewartc@usq.edu.au.
