Roads and infrastructure

Local governments are responsible for about one-third of Australia’s public infrastructure, including local roads, buildings, facilities, airports, water and land.

ALGA’s 2024 National State of the Assets report showed Australia’s councils manage more than $600 billion worth of assets and infrastructure – about 10 times the annual revenue they raise.  This means local governments are the most asset-intensive level of government.

Local roads, managed by councils, also make up around 75 per cent of the national road network, which is more than 650,000 km.  These roads serve every Australian and business on a daily basis.

Each year, ALGA holds the National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress to highlight the needs of councils and their communities and exchange ideas on latest innovations.

Safer roads

The unacceptable number of deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads continues to rise every year.

Tragically, around half of all fatal car accidents occur on local roads, with 55 per cent in regional areas.  During the 12 months ending January 2025 there were 1,324 road deaths, an increase of 6 per cent compared to the same time last year, according to national road safety data.

Effectively funding the maintenance and necessary safety upgrades of Australia’s local road network is a big challenge, and despite recent increases in the federal Roads to Recovery funding, there’s still a $500 million per year shortfall, according to the Grattan Institute’s Potholes and Pitfalls report.

We are calling for $600 million per year safer roads fund – with $500 million for infrastructure improvements and $100 million for road safety programs – to support all councils to play a more effective role reducing deaths on Australian roads.

Community infrastructure

Local government libraries, playgrounds, bike paths and community centres are vital to the wellbeing and liveability of communities.  They provide free and low cost entertainment, support active and healthy lifestyles, and allow us to meet and connect every day.

However, many of these facilities need significant attention and upgrades.

Around $8.3 billion of local government buildings and facilities and $2.9 billion of parks and recreation assets are in poor condition, according to ALGA’s 2024 National State of the Assets report.

On a positive note, the report also found that since 2021, the amount of local government buildings and facilities in poor condition has fallen from 10 per cent to eight per cent.  This is the result of increased federal investment through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, from both the Coalition and Labor governments since 2020. This program has ceased and there is an urgent need for ongoing and significant community infrastructure.  Ongoing funding is needed to repair and maintain existing infrastructure and build new infrastructure for growing community needs.

ALGA is proposing a $500 million per year community infrastructure fund – to be provided to all councils – to build, maintain and upgrade the local facilities that make communities great.