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  • Expressions of interest are being requested for the Priority Languages Support Project through First Languages Australia. The program aims to support critically endangered languages where no language revival activity is currently being undertaken. Funding through this program averages about $15,000 per project, and only languages that are not being supported through other services are eligible.+

  • The next funding phase of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, totalling $750 million, is now available for councils across Australia to nominate projects. Phase 4 funding allocations include an additional $250 million targeted to improve rural, regional and outer urban roads. Projects funded under Phase 4 are expected to be completed by+

  • Local governments can submit projects for the first round of the Federal Government’s new $600 million Growing Regions program with expressions of interest now open. The program offers grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to local governments and not-for-profit organisations for capital works delivering community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia.+

  • Local communities, councils and telcos are urged to have their say on new draft guidelines for the next $20 million round of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) which aims to improve mobile coverage on the urban fringes of communities. Peri-urban fringes – where the bush meets the edges of the suburbs – create significant challenges+

  • Local governments have been given more time to apply for the Federal Government’s $160 million regional communications co-investment schemes – the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) and Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) grants. Applications were originally due by 12 July, but stakeholders, including councils, indicated they needed extra time so the deadline has been extended until+

  • In a major win for local government, the Federal Government announced today it will bring forward payments totalling almost $1.8 billion to the majority of states under the State and Commonwealth-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said the Government had listened to local government’s call for faster support and payments+

  • Enjoy some of the highlights and memorable moments from ALGA’s successful National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government in Canberra from 13-16 June. See a selection of photos from the annual event held at the National Convention Centre. Please see a range of videos below.          

  • Local government is invited to comment on a new proposal by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for regulating waste from small electronics and solar photovoltaic systems (or e‑products). The latest statistics show each Australian produced an average of 20kg of e-waste in 2019 compared with the global average of 7kg.+

  • Win! $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund I am thrilled that ALGA’s strong advocacy and leadership has delivered a new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund for Australian councils, announced by Prime Minister Albanese at Friday’s ACLG Forum. Councils have been leading climate action and reducing their carbon footprints for decades, and we have consistently+

  • Strong advocacy and leadership by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has resulted in the establishment of a new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund today for local governments. Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) Forum in Canberra, the new fund has been developed to enable local+

  • At the 2023 National General Assembly, the Governor-General of Australia spoke about the importance of recognising people who make a positive difference in local communities. His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) asked for councils’ help to identify Australians in local communities who make an extraordinary impact and ensure there are processes+

  • More than 1100 local government leaders shared ideas and innovations about a range of issues and challenges at the 2023 Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) in Canberra from 13-15 June. The historic annual event attracted mayors, shire presidents and councillors from right across the country to consider how local governments can+

  • The Australian Local Government Association hosted the largest Regional Forum in its history on 13 June, which saw more than 450 local government leaders travel vast distances to Canberra from right across the country. The delegates – which included regional mayors, councillors and shire presidents – discussed a wide range of issues including regional connectivity,+

  • Local government leaders will share innovations to ensure councils can help reduce Australia’s emissions while mitigating skyrocketing cost of living pressures at the historic 2023 Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) in Canberra from 13-15 June. Hosted by ALGA, which represents the nation’s 537 local governments, the annual event starts today and+

  • We are looking for ALGA’s next Chief Executive Officer. This unique and exciting leadership opportunity will see you advocate on the most interesting issues in every corner of the nation. The successful candidate for this high-profile position will have a strong understanding of and connections into all levels of government allowing you to provide authoritative+

  • The announcement of 187 new projects to be funded through the first round of the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) today. This funding is available to state and territory governments, working with local governments and communities, for building infrastructure such as flood levees, seawalls and+

  • Local government is invited to provide input for the update of the Federal Government’s Climate Change Considerations chapter of Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR): A Guide to Flood Estimation. The national guideline document is one of the most widely used references to help engineers and the construction industry manage flood risk for the built environment.+

  • Local government feedback is invited on the Federal Government’s independent review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding.  The review aims to understand and define the Government’s role in Australia’s disaster funding environment and will consider how investment can be optimised for local communities.  To be led by Mr Andrew Colvin AO APM, the review will also explore+

  • Countdown to the NGA The countdown is on for ALGA’s annual conference – the 29th National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government from 13-16 June. In about a week’s time, more than 1000 people will converge in Canberra for the NGA at the National Convention Centre, including around 450 delegates for the 2023 Regional Forum+

  • ALGA has responded to new research published in The Australian Financial Review showing a need to build more medium-density homes in inner-city and urban areas to address Australia’s affordable housing crisis. The report, The case for medium-density housing in our large cities, showed housing supply has expanded at just 4.5 percent ahead of population growth over the+

  • ALGA is looking forward to welcoming a record crowd of local government leaders, delegates and elected representatives for this year’s ALGA Annual Conference in Canberra from 13-16 June – the 29th National General Assembly (NGA). There are around 450 delegates registered for the 2023 Regional Forum on Tuesday 13 June and more than 1000 people+

  • Feedback from the first round of stakeholder consultation on the Federal Government’s new drought plan is now available. The review report, which has been published on the Government’s webpage, makes 18 recommendations responding to feedback, including from local government. A total of 108 organisations were engaged during the consultation and these views have informed the+

  • Councils have been invited to attend a special webinar about drone delivery services on 8 June 2023 from 1:00 – 2:30pm hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Specifically designed for local government, the webinar will feature presentations from local government and industry on implementing drone delivery services, the+

  • 2023-24 Federal Budget On your behalf, over many months, ALGA worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to the recent Federal Budget 2023-24, handed down by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday 9 May. We welcomed the Budget from Canberra on Budget Night as a “solid investment” in local government, with councils receiving $3.1 billion in+

  • Local government is a vital link in solving Australia’s homelessness crisis, according to a new Churchill Fellowship report. Author Leanne Mitchell, who works for Brimbank City Council in Melbourne’s west, visited Canada, US and UK as part of her Churchill Fellowship to investigate how councils respond to rough sleeping while balancing responsibilities of the wider+

  • A new national Net Zero Authority to coordinate communities’ transformation to a low-carbon economy and enhance the liveability of local communities in Australia has been welcomed by the local government sector. The authority will engage with local, state and territory governments, regional bodies and other groups to help regions, industries and employers proactively manage the+

  • ALGA has welcomed the release of new guidelines for the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program, as part of local government’s ongoing advocacy for more money for regional Australia. The program provides grants between $500,000 and $15 million to local governments and not-for-profit organisations for capital works projects that deliver community and economic infrastructure across regional and rural Australia.+

  • Councils are invited to attend LGNSW’s Water Management Conference 2023 from 26-28 June at Parkes. The conference will outline practical solutions to water and sewerage management and explore issues and challenges facing local water utilities. Delegates can also learn about the latest water policy initiatives and government priorities as well as discover ways to address+

  • Australian councils have welcomed tonight’s Federal Budget as a solid investment in local government, with councils receiving $3.1 billion in Financial Assistance Grants over the next 12 months.   “For Australia’s 537 councils, $3.1 billion of local government funding is a vital investment in Australia’s productivity, allowing us to employ nearly 200,000 Australians and provide+

  • Federal Budget advocacy We have been working incredibly hard ahead of this year’s Federal Budget to advocate for more funding for your councils and our communities, as outlined in ALGA’s pre-Budget submission. After the Budget is handed down tomorrow night, we will write to all councils to let you know what’s been announced, and what+

  • In the second part of our chat with Minister for Local Government the Hon. Kristy McBain, ALGA News discusses her time in Federal Parliament since 2020, including as Federal Member for Eden Monaro and Minister for Local Government as well as hearing about the major priorities for 2023 and beyond. ALGA: As a former Bega+

  • ALGA News sat down with Federal Minister for Local Government the Honorable Kristy McBain MP, in a two-part interview, to discuss the Government’s move to re-establish the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG), allowing Cabinet Ministers to hear directly from the local government sector in Canberra this June. ALGA: Minister, can you tell us about+

  • The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed the Albanese Government’s delivery of an additional $250 million through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, while calling on the Government to reinstate the former model that saw funding provided to all Australian councils. Established in 2020, the LRCI program has been successful in providing+

  • A plan for housing supply and affordability reforms will be developed by Australia’s Planning Ministers – working with ALGA – over the next six months. The Federal Government has highlighted housing, particularly how it impacts on vulnerable groups, will be a major priority in the upcoming Budget. In response to a National Cabinet communique on 28+

  • ALGA has joined a chorus of rural and regional Australia leaders to call for funding to support regional areas in the upcoming Federal Budget. Based on its pre-Budget submission, ALGA is asking for a significant boost to road funding in the upcoming Budget along with an extra $250 million per year over four years to+

  • JOINT MEDIA RELEASE                       Australia’s 537 local governments are critical to creating a more sustainable and clean energy future and helping the Federal Government deliver on its target of net zero by 2050. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), with support from the Cities Power Partnership and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI),+

  • Councils are reminded that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has now included all government entities in their new agent nomination process. The process is a new requirement to help ensure only chosen authorised tax agents, BAS agents or payroll service providers can access your government entity’s accounts, and act on your behalf for tax and+

  • Cyber-attacks are one of the greatest threats to both Australia’s national security and our democracy, including at the local government level. To be properly prepared for cyber-attacks and defend against data breaches, Australian councils urgently need government support. Recent local government surveys in New South Wales and Western Australia found councils could significantly improve their+

  • Local Government Minister’s Forum I was delighted to represent Australia’s 537 councils at the Local Government Ministers’ Forum at Parliament House in Canberra on 31 March. With many communities still recovering from natural disasters and extreme weather, the forum focused on discussions around resilience and emergency management, as well as best-practice governance for councils. It’s+

  • ALGA News sat down in Canberra with former ALGA President David O’Loughlin, who was recently appointed to the Federal Government’s new National Housing Supply and Affordability Council.  As a former Mayor of Prospect in South Australia, Mr O’Loughlin is also a Director of the Urban Renewal Authority in SA. ALGA:  Tell us about your new+

  • AGLA has asked the Federal Government for $10 million to scope local government’s preparedness to deal with cyber-attacks and data breaches. In the lead-up to the Federal Budget, local government is seeking funding from the Government to improve councils’ readiness to deal with cyber-attacks and boost their defences against data breaches. Recent local government surveys+

  • AGLA has called on the Federal Government to provide $7 million over four years in the upcoming Budget for a new local government Indigenous Partnership Network. Local government associations across Australia need extra support to work closely with governments, councils and peak bodies to progress Closing the Gap, and new funding would enable councils to+

  • Local government has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to extend project construction timelines for Phases 1–3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program. Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said on 27 March councils now have until 30 June 2024 to complete works, providing an extra year on the+

  • Commonwealth, state and territory governments must develop a sustainable funding model for maintaining local road networks with upfront investment to ensure roads are more resilient to severe weather, according to ALGA.  This was a key recommendation outlined by ALGA to a parliamentary committee on 30 March, as part of a submission to the House of+

  • Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Chester’s support for increasing Roads to Recovery funding to $800 million per year has been welcomed by ALGA. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Mr Chester said: “The Australian Local Government Association is asking this Labor government to continue to support the Roads to Recovery Program and give additional funding going forward,+

  • Thank you for NGA motions A sincere thank you to everyone who has submitted motions for our 2023 National General Assembly in June. We’ve had a tremendous response for both motions and registrations for this year’s Conference, which is shaping up to be the biggest on record.  So a reminder to get your early bird+

  • In the lead up to this year’s Budget, ALGA is calling for $300 million per year for councils to improve freight productivity and infrastructure on Australia’s local roads. Local governments manage around 77 percent of Australia’s roads by length and play an important role in authorising heavy vehicle access on local roads.  However councils only+

  • ALGA has partnered with the Australian Airports Association (AAA) to urge the Federal Government to provide $250 million per year over four years for a new Regional Infrastructure Recovery Program to protect regional infrastructure against future disasters. Unprecedented natural disasters in 2022 and 2023 have devastated regional communities and infrastructure, with the National Emergency Management+

  • Australian councils are invited to support a national education campaign around the dangers of asbestos in the home and workplace. As part of the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign from 12 March – 10 April 2023, local government is urged to access and share a stakeholder pack containing a range of useful materials you may wish+

  • JOINT MEDIA RELEASE The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), with support from the Australian Airports Association (AAA), is urging the Federal Government to provide $250 million per year over four years for a new Regional Infrastructure Recovery Program to protect regional infrastructure against future disasters. There were 46 disasters declared in 2022, with 524 disaster+

  • Councils are invited to make a submission to the Federal Government’s Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport which is now open. The review – announced in December 2022 – is conducted every five years.   A discussion paper was also released as part of the consultation process. The consultation involves public transport users+

  • ALGA has urged the Federal Government to honour its pre-election commitment to provide “fair increases” in Financial Assistance Grants to local government. President Cr Linda Scott said many local governments heavily rely on FA Grants to remain sustainable and urgently need an increase in this untied funding. “Australian councils are facing significant financial challenges, especially+