Councillors advocate in Canberra for funding and support for growth

Published on 29 June 2023

Deputy Mayor Michael Leaney has advocated for Baw Baw Shire interests at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly of Local Government 2023 in Canberra.

Over 1,100 local government leaders from across Australia gathered in Canberra from 13 – 15 June for the assembly which provides local governments an opportunity to speak directly to Federal Government and provide input into federal programs and policies that will support councils to build stronger communities.

Cr Leaney, the current Chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria, attended the assembly to advocate for greater investment and support for the five fastest growing regions on Melbourne’s fringe - Baw Baw, Bass Coast, Golden Plains, Moorabool and Surf Coast Shires.

Baw Baw Shire Council submitted a notice of motion calling on the Australian Government “to provide more critical infrastructure and services for fast growing peri-urban regions of Australia as it is important that the same amenity and effective connectivity – both digital and transport are readily available to community members that are moving from the city into peri-urban communities.”  

A substantive motion calling on the government to “develop, prioritise and appropriately fund major infrastructure for communities in Australia’s rapidly growing urban fringe” was presented by Mitchell Shire Council and seconded by Cr Leaney. It passed successfully without opposition.

The Australian Local Government Association Board will now consider the motions in forming its policy positions and advocacy priorities at a federal level.

Following the assembly, Cr Leaney participated in round table event for peri urban councils from around Australia, which included members of the Sydney Peri Urban Network (SPUN) and fast-growing councils from Southeast Queensland.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with councillors from interstate," said Cr Leaney. “Through our discussion we concluded that fundamentally our regions are experiencing the same issues. Growth without adequate support; a loss of place and character; and the right to farm were some of the common themes we discussed. We all agreed we need to work more closely together to jointly advocate for support on our shared challenges.”

Cr Leaney joined Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe in attending the Australian Council Local Government (ACLG) Forum and Gala Dinner, an opportunity for local government leaders to meet and hear from federal leaders including Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP,  The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and The Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians.

“It is promising that the Federal Government has re-established the ACLG. It shows our nation's leaders are committed to listening to the needs of local councils,” said Mayor McCabe. “We hope with sustained advocacy that the Federal Government will remedy the challenges high-growth councils face in eligibility and access to national funding schemes. We are often too big for regional funding schemes to make a difference, yet we are often ineligible or under-resourced to apply for urban funding programs.”

“You have to be in the room to influence change,” says Cr Leaney. “It is so important that Baw Baw is visible and present at events like the National General Assembly. We haven’t got a hope of getting on the team if we don’t turn up to training.”

Cr Leaney will return to Canberra in August as part of a Peri Urban Council Victoria, delegation to Parliament House.

To learn more about Council’s advocacy priorities visit https://www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Advocacy or email advocacy@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

Left to right: Cr Liz Patterson - Mayor Surf Coast Shire, Cr Tanya Milligan - Mayor Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Cr Matthew Deeth - Deputy Mayor Wollondilly Shire, Cr Rochelle Halstead - Deputy Mayor Bass Coast Shire, Cr Brett Cunningham - Mayor Golden Plains Shire, Cr Michael Whelan - Mayor Bass Coast Shire, Cr Matt Gould - Mayor Wollondilly Shire, Cr Greg Christensen - Mayor of Scenic Rim Regional Council, Cr Michael Leaney - Deputy Mayor Baw Baw Shire, Cr Moira Berry - Moorabool Shire

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe