AT this month’s Council meeting I called on all Federal election candidates to support the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) ‘Don’t Leave Local Communities Behind’ national funding initiative, which based on independent review, would contribute $6.46 billion per annum to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product.

I’ll be writing to our local Federal Member, Pat Conaghan MP, and all Federal election candidates in the lead up to the May 2022 elections, seeking their support for the national initiative, and the funding required to drive a suite of projects that would fuel the future economic and community recovery efforts of every Australian Council and community.

That’s because the challenges we face as a community are the same challenges faced by every community across the country, where local businesses and families are doing it tough, so it’s important that our Federal colleagues support the ALGA’s efforts to make sure no one gets left behind and everybody benefits from Australia’s post-pandemic recovery.

And it will require a significant amount of Federal funding to successfully deliver on the broad range of medium and long-term projects identified via the ALGA’s ‘Don’t Leave Local Communities Behind’ national policy initiatives, which economists have also predicted will create a further 43,444 jobs across the country.

These funds would also strengthen every local Council and community’s capacity to establish programs that promote economic recovery, improve community resilience and kick-start the local circular economy by strengthening relationships across all levels of government, so we can make a real difference by working together to meet the shared challenges we face.

It’s important however that Council also remains focused on working closely with our community to ensure that our Shire’s seniors, youth, those with a disability and the vulnerable and isolated are represented and consulted as we work towards identifying potential opportunities and local solutions to the economic and social challenges our Shire faces.

That’s why it’s imperative that we secure the backing of our Federal colleagues to help fund and deliver these grass roots projects, so we’re in a strong position to provide our local community, businesses and those in need with the infrastructure and services we need to create a resilient and connected community that is supported by sustainable local businesses and employment opportunities.

 

By Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve ALLAN