Linda Scott calls for ‘long-term’ local funding after $500m budget backing

By DANIEL LO SURDO

City of Sydney councillor and Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Linda Scott has praised a $500 million extension of a roads and community infrastructure program as part of the newly-announced federal budget, but has said that greater funding for local councils is still needed to provide “long-term benefits” to Australian communities.

The Australian government announced its budget ahead of the May federal election on Tuesday night, which included petrol price reliefs and cost of living allowances, and also committed to a $500 million extension of a local government program that Cr Scott said has helped councils deliver “thousands of new local projects” over the past two years.

Cr Scott said that increased funding for local government will “outlast once-off cash payments and temporary fuel excise cuts” and will create thousands of new jobs across Australia, adding that “it will be critical for whomever forms the next Commonwealth Government to increase local roads and community infrastructure”.

Prior to the announcement of the budget, ALGA urged the federal government to continue the $2.5 billion local roads and community infrastructure program, which Cr Scott said delivered thousands of new libraries, community centres and sporting facilities across the country.

Linda Scott’s community centre funding amendment defeated 

It comes as a move from Cr Scott at a recent City of Sydney council meeting, which hoped to ensure that funding for community centres is maintained, was defeated after Lord Mayor Clover Moore exercised her casting vote to declare the amendment unsuccessful.

Cr Scott told City Hub that she was “disappointed” her amendment was defeated, however said that she hopes to work “collaboratively with [Cr Moore] to ensure that our next Budget increases City funding for our community centres”. She added that she had “doorknocked community member after community member”, with many raising their affinity with the City’s community centres.

“I’m so grateful to our community groups who have rallied to show their support for increased City funding for our community centres, as our population and service demand increase, and to ensure our Centres continue to be run by City staff, rather than being outsourced.”

In the unsuccessful amendment, Cr Scott had requested council to acknowledge that residents and the community have called for ongoing City-run services and groups in community spaces, and request the City’s Chief Executive Officer, Monica Barone, to ensure funding for community centres is, at minimum, maintained.