Councils are on the frontline in shaping the liveability of their communities. Their role extends far beyond roads, rates, and rubbish. Local governments provide essential public health infrastructure like safe and reliable water supplies.
Councils are there before, during and following natural disasters and play a lead role in disaster preparedness and recovery. They lead the way on climate change adaptation to protect their communities and build resilience. The responsiveness of Queensland councils has never been more tested or more evident than during COVID-19.
So that councils can continue to support strong, safe, and resilient communities, local government asks all political parties contesting the 2020 State Election to guarantee:
- $100 millon per year for 5 years to guarantee delivery of rural water and wastewater infrastructure
- $5 million over 4 years to support coastal councils to build resilience and adapt to coastal hazards.
- Statutory protections for councils managing risks from natural hazards and climate change, akin to section 733 of the New South Wales Local Government Act 1993.
- $10 million for greater access to expert assistance and guidance for local governments undertaking local disaster risk assessments as guided by the Queensland Emergency Management Risk Framework.
Priority
$100 million per year for 5 years to guarantee delivery of rural water and wastewater infrastructure
Description
- Address risks to water supply due to aged cement asbestos pipes which comprise 29 per cent of the network
- Develop and implement value for money solutions to mitigate public health risks to rural water and wastewater service delivery
- Remediate critical water and wastewater infrastructure at immediate risk of failure
Benefits
- Water security for Queensland’s rural towns and communities
- Safer, more secure drinking water services
- Robust and cost-effective wastewater services
- Job creation
- Improved asset management
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 1,529.4 | Direct | $197.9M |
| Indirect | 2,764.0 | Indirect | $433.5M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 4,293.3 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $631.4M |
Priority
$5 million over 4 years to support coastal councils to build resilience and adapt to coastal hazards
Description
- Increase capacity of local government to respond to coastal hazard risks
- Implement adaptation actions like sea wall construction, beach nourishment, raising access roads, education, and awareness campaigns to build the resilience of local communities
- Develop Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategies for every coastal council in Queensland
Benefits
- Significantly reduce damages (e.g. long-term reduction of asset damage costs) and lost opportunity costs in coastal hazard areas
- Protect insurance affordability and access to finance and investment for coastal and associated communities and businesses – e.g. long-term reduction of business disruption and recovery costs.
- Protect and, where possible, enhance important environmental and cultural values
- Facilitate continuing land uses and economic benefit from coastal hazard exposed areas for as long as possible
- Protect recreation and tourism opportunities
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 15.3 | Direct | $2.0M |
| Indirect | 27.6 | Indirect | $4.3M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 42.9 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $6.3M |
Priority
Statutory protections for councils managing risks from natural hazards and climate change akin to section 733 of the New South Wales Local Government Act 1993.
Description
Legislative reform to:
- Support council decision making when managing risks from natural hazards and climate change
- Provide protection from legal challenges to the same extent as in NSW
Benefits
- Greater certainty and confidence for councils when planning for and responding to the increasing risks associated with natural hazards and climate change
- Reduced risk of legal liability for decisions made in ‘good faith’ and to ensure community safety
- Minimise cost to councils from potential increases in litigation, as exposure to natural hazards increases
Priority
$10 million for greater access to expert assistance and guidance for local governments undertaking local disaster risk assessments as guided by the Queensland Emergency Management Risk Framework
Description
- Undertake comprehensive risk assessments to ensure successful disaster management
- Access to expert advice and assistance to ensure local disaster risk assessments across each council disaster management area are contemporary and comprehensively address localised risk and hazards in disaster events
Benefits
- Highly refined disaster preparedness
- Best practice local disaster response to support local communities in disaster situations
| Jobs | Economic Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | 29.4 | Direct | $3.6M |
| Indirect | 41.9 | Indirect | $6.9M |
| Total jobs over 4 Years | 71.2 | Total GRP over 4 Years ($M): | $10.4M |