Federal Budget 2018 and its Impact on Local Government in Victoria

2018 FEDERAL BUDGET IMPACTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN VICTORIA

The VLGA welcomes key infrastructure investments contained in the Federal budget 2018 as outlined by Treasurer the Hon Scott Morrison. In particular, we welcome the $5 billion earmarked for the Melbourne Airport rail link and the proposed Urban Congestion Fund.

Additional investments in rail upgrades in Monash, Frankston and Geelong and road spending in Traralgon will also help to ease congestion to cope with Melbourne’s growing population.

Regional Australia will benefit from additional funding for health and education services, including 685 additional Commonwealth supported places for regional students.

The 14,000 new aged care packages will enable service providers to assist people with additional home care needs.

While the federal government has ruled out an increase in the Medicare Levy to fully fund the NDIS, it has committed $42 billion over the next four years to fund and implement the roll out of the NDIS. This commitment may provide some relief to councils, particularly those in rural areas, where they are often the only providers for disability services.

However, we are disappointed with the lack of national leadership to tackle waste management in the wake of the recent ban by China on low grade recyclable materials. While the Federal and State governments are busy blaming each other, local governments are left to deal with this issue with limited resources to meet community expectations. This delays any real progress towards the identification and implementation of sustainable waste management solutions.

The VLGA remains committed to working with other two tiers of government and other stakeholders to find a sustainable solution to waste management. We want to see urgent action and resources allocated to develop a holistic waste management policy for the benefit of all Australians.

 ENDS:

Please attribute to Kathryn Arndt Chief Executive Officer

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Liddy Clark 0403 542 411