Mitchell Shire Deputy Mayer, Nathan Clark, will be attending the 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra in July.
Cr Clark will be presenting motions from Mitchell Shire Council to the General Assembly following decisions made at the March meeting of Council.
A key motion will be that the National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to immediately increase the Financial Assistance Grants provided to councils in order to ensure the long-term financial viability of councils and their ability to adequately support their local communities.
Cr Clark said that the General Assembly will provide an ideal opportunity for the Federal Government to increase the percentage of the Commonwealth Budget allocated to Financial Assistance Grants.
“The grants are essential in supporting a broad range of local government activities. Without an increase in the grants their will be an impact on Councils’ ability to deliver the services and infrastructure,” Cr Clark said.
Cr Bill Chisholm agreed, saying that there had been significant cost shifting from Federal and State Governments to local government.
Cr Clark will also present a motion calling on the Federal Government to Increase betterment funding to build resilience and support communities to build back better following disasters.
