Better funding for roads, a smart approach to disaster management and a fairer go in the way Queensland determines how Federal funding is spent on local government are among the 10 policies put forward under the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGA) 10 Point Federal Election Policy Plan.

The LGAQ’s Policy Plan also urges Federal election candidates to ensure that local communities receive better funding to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.

LGAW’s President, Margaret de Wit, said that the 10 Point Plan policy changes should be adopted in the lead up to the Federal election in September.

“This plan sets out a necessary and achievable policy platform for political parties to adopt in the run up to the 14 September federal election,” Cr de Wit said.

Cr de Wit said that whoever carries the day in the election should commit to a ‘major rethink’ of the way Financial Assistance Grants are distributed among the states.

“The current system distributes too little money and does not recognise Queensland’s unique infrastructure needs generated by rapid resource industry growth,” Cr de Wit said.

She said the next Australian government should adopt as a priority an overhaul of the system of road funding, including making sure the vital Roads to Recovery program is made a permanent policy solution to address a projected shortfall in roads investment estimated at $1.2 billion over the next 15 years.

The full Policy Plan can be found here