President’s Update – 24 November 2025

My thoughts are with the councils, shires and communities from across northern Australia as they respond and recover from Tropical Cyclone Fina.  I know councils go above and beyond to support their communities during these hard times. Response is hard and recovery can take weeks if not months.  It’s not an easy job and I thank everyone for stepping up and taking care of each other.

It was a great couple of days it was in Bendigo at ALGA’s 2025 National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress last week.  My sincere thanks again to everyone who contributed to making these days a resounding success – delegates, speakers, our sponsors and hosts.

Engaging directly with councils and industry experts is always a highlight, offering invaluable insights into the real-world challenges and opportunities facing local government.

This year, a clear and central message echoed by delegates was the urgent call for the restoration of 1% of Financial Assistance Grants. This funding is vital for maintaining and developing the road and infrastructure networks that underpin our thriving communities and is essential for national productivity.

As the Congress drew to a close, one message stood out: local governments across Australia are not merely maintaining our roads—they are actively shaping a more productive, resilient, and sustainable future for our communities.  I encourage you to read about the outcomes from the Congress in our communique.

Minister King’s announcement prior to the Congress confirming the reinstatement of the Inquiry into Local Government Financial Sustainability was welcomed and met with optimism. However, reinstatement of the inquiry is only the first step.  We need to see timely and decisive action in response to inquiry findings.

I am also pleased to be able to announce that the 2026 Roads Congress will be held in Cairns. I look forward to another engaging and insightful event that builds on the successes of previous years.

State Association Conferences

Conference season is upon us and I’m looking forward to joining delegates at the LGNSW Conference today in Penrith. I also had the privilege of attending and speaking at the state association conferences in the Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia last week, sharing ALGA’s achievements over the past year.  These annual events showcase the extraordinary work of councils across Australia and provides a platform for knowledge and ideas to be shared.

Throughout the events, there was a strong and consistent emphasis on critical priorities for councils: the urgent need for more housing, the development of a skilled workforce, the importance of anticipating emerging challenges such as climate adaptation, infrastructure resilience and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of local government.

These themes are central to building resilient communities and supporting the future prosperity of councils across Australia.