Queensland has 17 First Nations councils that are integral to the cultural history, the present and future of this State.
Councils understand that to meet the challenges encountered by our First Australians and their communities, every level of government needs to lend support
In the spirit of reconciliation, and with determination to close the gap for our First Nations people, local government asks all political parties contesting the 2020 State Election to guarantee:
- A 10 per cent increase to State Government Financial Aid (SGFA) to recognise significant increases in labour costs and assist councils retain workers.
- $30 million per year for 4 years to extend the Indigenous Councils Critical Infrastructure Program (ICCIP) to deliver regional solutions for waste management, resource recovery and related essential service activities.
- $650,000 to develop five regional waste management plans and achieve the resource recovery targets of the Queensland Indigenous Waste Strategy.
- An additional $2.5 million per year for 4 years to advance Indigenous Knowledge Centres, upskill Indigenous communities and provide essential community learning hubs for their children.
Priority
A 10 per cent increase to State Government Financial Aid (SGFA) to recognise significant increases in labour costs and assist councils in retaining workers.
Description
An additional $3.5 million per annum to match labour costs
for staff performing normal local government service delivery.
Benefits
- Councils will be able to maintain staff numbers in First Nations communities, sustaining local jobs
- Services to First Nations communities can continue at existing levels with some capacity to invest in improving efficiencies and effectiveness
- Potential to create additional jobs and support the employment of trainees and apprentices
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 11.7 | Direct | $1.4M |
| Indirect | 16.7 | Indirect | $2.8M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 28.5 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $4.2M |
Priority
$30 million per year for 4 years to extend the Indigenous Councils Critical Infrastructure Program (ICCIP) to deliver regional solutions for waste management, resource recovery and related essential service activities.
Description
Continue the successful ICCIP program to support First Nations
councils in building new infrastructure including critical water,
wastewater, and solid waste assets, and provide a basis for the
long-term strategic management of essential assets.
Benefits
Dedicated funding pool for First Nations councils to ensure
delivery of critical public health infrastructure such as waste,
water and wastewater infrastructure in a manner that is
fit-for-purpose and addresses the unique challenges facing
these communities
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 154.8 | Direct | $51.6M |
| Indirect | 642.2 | Indirect | $101.1M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 797.0 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $152.7M |
Priority
$650,000 to develop five regional waste management plans and achieve the resource recovery targets of the Queensland Indigenous Waste Strategy.
Description
- Develop regional waste infrastructure plans for indigenous councils to identify best practice and fit for purpose waste management models in each region
- The plans will identify actions and undertake data collection exercises to inform investment decisions and innovative solutions for each region
Benefits
Specific waste management and resource recovery
strategies and infrastructure recommendations for
Queensland’s indigenous communities
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 1.4 | Direct | $0.17M |
| Indirect | 1.9 | Indirect | $0.32M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 3.3 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $0.48M |
Priority
An additional $2.5 million per year for 4 years to advance Indigenous Knowledge Centres, upskill Indigenous communities and provide essential community learning hubs for their children.
Description
Provision of subsidies to employ 29 Indigenous Knowledge
Centre Co-ordinators to build capacity and provide digital
literacy training programs for First Nations people
Benefits
- Lifelong learning and strong community connections will give children in indigenous communities a great start
- Help achieve Closing the Gap Targets
- Improve Queensland’s scores on the Australian Digital Inclusion e.g. in 2019 the region including Cape York received the lowest digital inclusion score in Queensland
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 96.9 | Direct | $3.6M |
| Indirect | 41.9 | Indirect | $6.9M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 138.8 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $10.4M |