Australia’s councils are expected to spend more than $2 billion over the next five years to future-proof their communities from the changing climate, according to new Australian-first research released 8 August.
ALGA and industry leaders were due to attend a productivity roundtable on climate change in Sydney, involving the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Assistant Minister Josh Wilson.
This is the second roundtable on productivity ALGA has attended in a week. On 6 August, Australia’s local government leaders, including ALGA President Mayor Matt Burnett, attended a housing roundtable with the Federal Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities Clare O’Neil in Melbourne.
Mayor Burnett said: “We thank the Government for inviting us to these roundtables, and it’s encouraging to see Treasurer Jim Chalmers and frontbench Ministers acknowledging the important role councils can play to meet our national productivity goals,” Mayor Burnett said/
At a media conference in Canberra, the Treasurer said praised the Local Government Association.
“When it comes to local government, we engage with local government in all kinds of different ways,” he said.
“The LGA is a wonderful organisation, frankly and we’ll be listening to them.”
ALGA recently made a submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable, which addressed the Government’s three priority areas of improving productivity, economic resilience and budget sustainability.
“Sustainability-funded councils can play a significant part in boosting the nation’s productivity goals and support economic growth, infrastructure delivery and resilience,” Mayor Burnett said.
“Helping our communities prepare for and adapt to changing climate conditions is a key example – the more we prepare now at the local level, the more productive we can be over the next decade.
“Local government adaptation to climate impacts leads to better budgetary sustainability for the Commonwealth because it reduces future pressure on hospitals, emergency management budgets, and our infrastructure.
“Our latest adaptation report shows councils are already delivering more than $400 million each year to prepare for climate adaptation, and we can partner with the Federal Government to deliver so much more.”
ALGA’s Adapting Together: Local Government Leadership in a Changing Climate report showed the climate-resilient investments by councils are estimated to provide up to $4.7 billion in avoided costs and benefits to communities by 2030.
“ALGA also represents local government on more than a dozen Ministerial Councils and forums on a range of key issues, including transport, emergency management, energy, climate, environment, culture and planning,” Mayor Burnett said.
“We continue to advocate for the reinstatement of the federal inquiry into local government sustainability to ensure the Government continues this important piece of work.
“We look forward to working with them on national priorities in partnership to support the productivity of our communities.”
