Housing and planning
Australia is experiencing an affordable housing crisis, with a lack of supply impacting on homeowners and renters.
The crisis is causing more people to become homeless and experience housing insecurity and affordability pressures.
In many jurisdictions, local government performs a key role in zoning and approving housing and delivering enabling infrastructure.
Disappointingly, councils are often criticised for delays in housing approvals, when the reality is that most complying approvals are quickly and effectively processed.
One of the biggest barriers to building more homes is a lack of funding for enabling infrastructure, including the roads, power and water connections necessary for new developments.
ALGA’s research indicates that building the enabling infrastructure to cover the gap between current housing constructions and the national housing target of 1.2 million new homes in the next five years is estimated to cost at least $5.7 billion.
This is on top of existing local government funding gaps – such as $50-$55 billion to replace existing infrastructure owned by local governments currently in poor condition (2024 National State of the Assets Report).
Equity Economics research also found 40 per cent of local governments have cut back on new infrastructure developments because of inadequate enabling infrastructure funding.
ALGA is calling for a new five-year, $1.1 billion annual fund that would be provided to all councils to get the foundations right for increasing Australia’s housing supply.
We are advocating for local governments to be provided with $500 million per year for community infrastructure and assets that will help create more livable communities.
ALGA is also seeking a seat at the table for national discussions on housing policy, including full membership of National Cabinet and the Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Council.
How we represent local government
ALGA represents and advocates for local government by participating in the following groups:
- Signatory to the National Housing Accord
- Planning Ministers’ Meeting
- Building Ministers’ Meeting
- Building Ministers’ Industry Dialogue
- Migration roundtable (skills).
Our submissions and reports:
Our members advocate to State and Territory Governments
Their key submissions and positions include:
Our submissions and reports:
Other policy priorities
