Council pushes for national solutions on issues

Published on 03 July 2019

Calls for federal government action on the waste crisis and on telecommunications have received national support from municipalities around Australia.

Mayor, Cr Janet Pearce and Chief Executive Officer, Margot Stork attended the annual Australian Local Government Association National Assembly 2019 in Canberra last month to lobby on both issues.

The assembly passed motions which called for increased federal funding for mobile black spots and for new guidelines which allowed for consideration of community amenity in the design and placement of mobile facilities. It also called for a national solution for current issues around waste.

The ALGA is the national body representing more than 560 local Councils from across Australia, and more than 800 Mayors and CEOs from around the country attended the conference.

Cr Pearce said the event helped local government to engage directly with the federal government to develop national policy on important issues.

"Working together with other councils enables us to bring major issues to the attention of the federal government,” Cr Pearce said.

“It’s a powerful and valuable opportunity to get our voice heard on the national stage.”

Speakers at the ALGA conference included the Acting Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, the new Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, Mark Coulton and the Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Jason Clare.

Motions passed at the event by Councils will now be voted on by the ALGA board and presented to the Federal Government for consideration.