Housing shortages, a lack of GPs in regional areas and disaster risk reduction were just some of the big issues confronting WA communities that were tackled at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly.
 
A number of Motions proposed by WA Local Governments were endorsed by the National Assembly that met this week in Canberra.
 
The City of Stirling joined Local Governments across the country and called on the Federal Government to develop a sustainable national funding model to assist low to moderate income owners to access affordable home ownership and affordable rental opportunities.
 
The Shires of Morawa and Toodyay had strong support for their proposals calling on the Federal Government to urgently address the critical shortages of GPs in regional, rural and remote Australia.
 
The Shire of Mundaring called for a sustainable emergency grant funding model with a network of grants officers in each state that would enable Local Governments to deliver on their shared responsibility for disaster risk reduction, resilience and recovery.
 
The City of Wanneroo called on the Federal Government to allow Infrastructure Australia to consider business cases submitted by groups of Local Governments to coordinate the delivery of priority sporting facilities infrastructure.
 
The Town of Bassendean highlighted a lack of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) processing facilities across the country to receive the expected volumes of material once all Local Governments introduced a third bin.
 
ALGA Vice-President and WALGA President Cr Karen Chappel said the input of motions from WA Local Governments captured similar concerns of other Local Governments across Australia.
 
“Disaster funding, housing shortages, community infrastructure, a shortage of medical practitioners in regional areas and waste facility concerns are not just issues facing WA Local Governments, but Local Governments across Australia,” she said.
 
“The National General Assembly means the collective voice of 537 Local Governments can be heard by the Commonwealth and is an opportunity to tell the Commonwealth that communities need support in a number of areas.”
 
For an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel please contact: 
Graham Mason, WALGA Media and Communications Manager
0448 896 435 or gmason@walga.asn.au