ALGA responds to new warnings of growing climate change impacts at the local level

The Australian Local Government
Association (ALGA) has applauded calls for the nation’s 537 councils to be
given greater backing to protect local communities from the accelerating
impacts of climate change.

A landmark Climate Council/City Powers
Partnership report published this week found extreme weather events driven by
global warming are taking a growing toll on community infrastructure owned by
local government and valued at nearly $500 billion.

The report said local governments play
a leading role in responding to climate change; but they face financial and
other barriers in responding to natural disasters, bolstering infrastructure
resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global
warming.

ALGA President Linda Scott said the
report findings add to the Association’s evidence indicating that state and
federal government assistance is falling short of what is required.

“Local governments have identified
potential solutions that will protect people and community assets from new
weather extremes –and get us closer to net-zero emissions,” Cr Scott said.

“Councils are getting on with the job;
many in rural and remote areas, however, need additional resources to implement
targeted local projects that help communities transition to a low-carbon
future.”

Ahead of the next federal election,
ALGA is calling for the next Australian government to support communities in
their climate change responses by investing in a Local Government Climate
Change Partnership Fund of $200 million per annum over four years.

ALGA is also seeking a targeted
disaster mitigation program at the level of $200 million per annum for four
years to strengthen community resilience response and recovery costs.

To support the financial sustainability
of local governments – eroded by rate capping and unprecedented financial
support extended to businesses and communities through the Covid-19 pandemic –
ALGA is seeking a progressive increase in Financial Assistance Grants to 1
percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue.

Cr Scott said the Climate Council
report was correct in calling on state and federal governments to take charge
of coordinating climate impact responses and encouraging and resourcing
collaboration across governments.

“It’s through partnerships and
alliances that local government can better meet community expectations for
reduced carbon emissions, greater energy efficiency, and improved heat adaptation
strategies,” Cr Scott said.

“Communities increasingly understand
the need to prepare for a warmer world and the challenges of reducing our CO2
emissions. They want action.

“Local governments, properly resourced,
can help them get ready – more importantly councils can ensure that no
community is left behind in the transition to a low-carbon economy,” Cr Scott
said.

ENDS