The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has today presented its interim report for the inquiry into local government sustainability.

Media release issue date: Friday, 14 February 2025

A federal parliamentary committee inquiry has undertaken extensive consultation with stakeholders including local governments, councils and shires. The inquiry received over 280 submissions and held 16 public hearings in regional areas. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has today presented its interim report for the inquiry into local government sustainability. The vast majority of local governments that made submissions to this inquiry and participated in public hearings spoke about how their role has evolved significantly from administering roads, rates and rubbish to navigating complex regulatory environments, managing limited financial resources, and addressing diverse and sometimes competing community needs and expectations. The interim report makes no formal policy recommendations to government but highlights these emerging themes. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘local governments around Australia are increasingly being called upon to provide healthcare services and housing, manage ageing infrastructure and assets, and respond to current and future climate adaptation needs. These additional responsibilities are placing a significant financial strain on local governments who are struggling to meet community expectations.’ ‘The Committee is thoroughly reviewing the substantial evidence it has received to date and carefully considering the numerous and varied recommendations put forward in the submissions aimed at improving the sustainability of local governments. The Committee is looking forward to announcing its final recommendations in due course,’ Mr Gosling said. Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions, public hearing transcripts and an interim report are available on the inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Mitchell Hearne Mitchell.hearne@aph.gov.au 0432 595 811 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Local government associations from Queensland, Tasmania and New South Wales will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport as part of an ongoing inquiry into local government sustainability.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 24 July 2024

Local government associations from Queensland, Tasmania and New South Wales will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport as part of an ongoing inquiry into local government sustainability. The virtual public hearing on 25 July 2024 continues the Committee’s in-depth examination of the financial sustainability challenges and risks facing local government. The Committee will also hear from the Australian Services Union, the Northern and Yorke Local Government Association, Torrens University Australia, Always Thinking Advisory, and the United Services Union and Local Government Engineers Association. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘the hearing will provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the particular risks threatening the financial sustainability of local governments. Local governments are facing both escalating cost pressures and increasing community expectations. The Committee is interested in further exploring the key financial pressures, including the extent to which councils rely on Commonwealth and State and Territory program and grant funding to meet expanding service delivery obligations.’ ‘The hearing also provides an opportunity to gather additional evidence concerning current and future workforce skills, attraction, and retention challenges, along with labour hire practices and job security issues affecting the local government workforce. The Committee is also interested in exploring the local government financial sustainability drivers underlying critical workforce issues across states and territories’, Mr Gosling said. Public hearing details Canberra, Australian Parliament House and via videoconference Date:      Thursday, 25 July 2024 Venue:   Committee Room 1R3 and via videoconference Time:     9.30 AM to 2.00 PM (AEST) The Committee will hold further public hearings during 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Alyce Mokrzycki – Media Adviser to Luke Gosling OAM MP alyce.mokrzycki@aph.gov.au 0422 039 310 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

On Thursday, 27 June 2024, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability. The ALGA is the peak body representing local governments across Australia.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 26 June 2024

On Thursday, 27 June 2024, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability. ALGA is the peak body representing local governments across Australia. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘ALGA plays a pivotal role in identifying trends affecting local government and raising issues of concern to government through its advocacy at state, territory, and national levels. The hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committee to gather evidence on the financial health of local councils and the evolving financial and operational pressures facing local government.’ ‘In our ever-changing landscape of natural disasters, pandemics, housing crises, employment and workforce trends, and an increasing need and expectation for community services and infrastructure across a range of areas, the role of local governments in supporting and growing communities has never been more important. Local government financial well-being is central to the sustainability of our communities. The Committee is keen to understand the local council funding model and cost pressures in view of changing community expectations, infrastructure requirements, and service delivery obligations’, Mr Gosling said. The Committee is also interested in hearing about the elements contributing to skills and workforce shortages across local government, including factors influencing skills shortages across rural and remote areas, impacts of labour hire practices, and how these challenges influence service delivery obligations and long-term financial sustainability. The hearing provides an opportunity to gather evidence on current and future cost pressures, and the ability of local government to deliver services within the current skills shortage environment, ahead of future public hearings with local councils. Public hearing details Canberra, Australian Parliament House Date:      Thursday, 27 June 2024 Venue:   Committee Room 1R3 Time:     11.05 AM to 12.00 PM (AEST) The Committee will hold further public hearings during 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Luke.Gosling.MP@aph.gov.au 08 8928 0180 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from local government associations from South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 5 June 2024

On Friday, 7 June 2024, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from local government associations from South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability. The Committee will also hear from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Jobs and Skills Australia, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Finance. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘the hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committee to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing local governments.’ ‘Local governments play a vital role in supporting the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of their communities. They are also key partners in delivering infrastructure and vital services that enhance regional development and affect communities, businesses, and people. The Committee is keen to hear from the local government associations about their perspectives and priorities on these issues’, Mr Gosling said. The Committee is interested in hearing about the evolving role of the local government sector and the scope and volume of the changing service delivery landscape, the key cost pressures impacting financial sustainability, particularly infrastructure management, and drivers underlying critical workforce issues across the respective states and territories. The hearing also provides an opportunity to gather evidence concerning current and future workforce skills, attraction and retention challenges, along with local government environmental concerns and legislative requirements, and the broader Commonwealth grants funding framework. Public hearing details Canberra, Australian Parliament House and via videoconference Date:      Friday, 7 June 2024 Venue:   Committee Room 1R4 Time:     9.30 AM to 2.00 PM (AEST) The Committee will hold further public hearings during 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Luke.Gosling.MP@aph.gov.au 08 8928 0180 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport is commencing public hearings for its inquiry into local government sustainability.

Media release issue date: Monday, 13 May 2024

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport is commencing public hearings for its inquiry into local government sustainability. Exploring government policy and program funding to support local government sustainability will be the focus of the opening hearing on 16 May 2024 with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘local governments are facing a number of increasing challenges including the attraction and retention of a skilled workforce, changing service delivery requirements including infrastructure and development, and climate change impacts all within the context of an inflationary environment. The hearing provides an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of policy and program funding frameworks across the three tiers of government in supporting local government financial sustainability.’ Public hearing details Canberra, Australian Parliament House Date:      Thursday, 16 May 2024 Venue:   Committee Room 1R3 Time:     11:10am – 12:00pm (AEST) The Committee will hold further public hearings and interested parties are encouraged to make a written submission to this inquiry by 31 May 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Anyone is welcome to attend the hearing, and a live audio stream will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Luke.Gosling.MP@aph.gov.au 08 8928 0180 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has extended the submission deadline by four weeks to 31 May 2024 for its inquiry into local government sustainability.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 17 April 2024

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has extended the submission deadline by four weeks to 31 May 2024 for its inquiry into local government sustainability. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘the Committee recognises the importance of this inquiry to inform a deeper understanding of local government financial sustainability and service delivery obligations. The scope of the inquiry’s terms of reference covers a range of complexities across financial frameworks, skills development, labour hire practices, infrastructure, and asset management.’ Mr Gosling further noted that ‘due to the high level of interest received to date, the Committee has agreed to extend the inquiry submission deadline by four weeks to Friday, 31 May 2024. The Committee appreciates that many government and other organisations are keen to contribute to this important inquiry and is seeking to understand the challenges faced by local governments in servicing infrastructure requirements for their communities.’ The Committee welcomes submissions from interested organisations and individuals by 31 May 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Luke.Gosling.MP@aph.gov.au 08 8928 0180 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will examine local government sustainability in a new inquiry.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 21 March 2024

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will examine local government sustainability in a new inquiry launched today. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘the Committee has prioritised a deeper understanding of local government financial sustainability and funding frameworks, alongside the changing infrastructure requirements and service delivery obligations for local governments. Local government sustainability is essential to supporting our Australian communities through the provision of vital infrastructure and related services. The Committee is seeking to understand the challenges faced by local governments in servicing infrastructure requirements across Australia’s regional, rural, and remote locations.’ Mr Gosling further emphasised that ‘the Committee is aware of significant public infrastructure workforce shortages, particularly in local government areas, and the importance of promoting skills development and job security for Australians. The Committee will examine labour hire and retention trends, including the impacts of labour hire practices, to identify barriers and opportunities to support our local workforce and local government sustainability and service delivery obligations.’ The Committee welcomes submissions from interested organisations and individuals by 3 May 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Luke.Gosling.MP@aph.gov.au 08 8928 0180 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

On Thursday, 4 July 2024, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the Department of Health and Aged Care as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability.

Media release issue date: Monday, 1 January 0001

On Thursday, 4 July 2024, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the Department of Health and Aged Care as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability. Chair of the Committee, Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said ‘local governments play a vital role in providing a range of public health services across their communities. The hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committee to hear about the roles of the Australian, state and territory, and local governments in managing our health system, with a particular focus on the financial support provided to local governments that are delivering essential health services.’ ‘Increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and greater reliance on mental health services are key health system challenges across Australia. Our local governments are facing increasing demands to ensure community access to primary care, aged care, and mental health services, amidst challenges attracting and retaining a skilled health workforce in regional, rural, and remote areas.’ ‘Many local governments report increased responsibility and financial pressure arising from changing funding models and reforms by higher levels of government, particularly in the aged care sector. Service gaps around essential mental health services in regional, rural and remote areas are a growing concern, with many councils providing financial support to ensure community access to these vital services. The Committee is keen to hear from the Australian Government about the health funding, program and regulatory framework in the context of local government health service delivery’, Mr Gosling said. The hearing also provides an opportunity to gather evidence concerning current and future health workforce skills, attraction, and retention challenges and the Australian Government’s role in securing access to a local government health workforce. Public hearing details Canberra, Australian Parliament House Date:      Thursday, 4 July 2024 Venue:   Committee Room 1R3 Time:     11.05 AM to 12.00 PM (AEST) The Committee will hold further public hearings during 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Luke.Gosling.MP@aph.gov.au 08 8928 0180 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2232 rdit.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.