As our planet continues to warm, the effects of climate change are becoming more and more evident. Last month alone saw severe storms in Perth and Melbourne, tropical cyclones hitting both the Queensland coast and the Northern Territory, as well as record floods in other areas.
These extreme weather events are further evidence of the need to reduce our emissions and make a more conscience effort to reverse or stabilise the effects of climate change, but they also highlight the need for councils to have robust emergency management plans in place. Alongside this is the requirement for long term asset management and infrastructure planning.
Roads and buildings that are regularly maintained and in good condition are less likely to be damaged or destroyed when faced with increased pressure from flooding, heavy rains, strong winds and so forth.
However lack of funds, difficulties in filling planning and engineering positions across the country, and Local Government’s increasing responsibilities above and beyond the traditional ‘roads, rates and rubbish’ has seen many councils struggling to maintain their infrastructure, let alone achieve a standard high enough to withstand natural disasters.
Where an event is declared a natural disaster, under the Federal Government’s Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements funding is available for councils to support the restoration or replacement of essential public infrastructure.
This funding allows assets to be returned to their pre disaster condition, but if they were improved to a better, stronger, more durable level, they would last longer and be less vulnerable to natural disasters in the future.
While this Federal funding does alleviate the immediate pressure on councils to make a start on rebuilding, in most cases, councils are required to contribute to repairs and the cleanup costs. This means funds are often diverted from planned infrastructure works, adding to the list of Local Government’s under maintained assets and contributing to its $15 billion infrastructure backlog.
As service and infrastructure providers, councils require greater support from the other spheres of government to maintain their current assets as well as meet future community needs.
The Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Project is an excellent example of the Federal Government working to address the infrastructure backlog and improve the nation’s assets, but it is a once off program. If it were to become an ongoing program, it could have a great impact on reducing the infrastructure backlog, thereby enabling councils to direct more funds into future planning and ensuring assets are in a condition that will withstand extreme weather events.
Under the Rudd Government, we have seen some progress in increased community infrastructure funding, and with a Federal election campaign imminent, this is sure to be an issue that both major parties will want to address.
Local Government’s challenge is to ensure it remains clear on its goals to get the best result for its communities.
