Address to the Local Government Association of South Australia Annual Conference

KRISTY MCBAIN: It’s fantastic to join you today, as you come together to harness the strengths and the innovation of your sector.

As a Regional Minister, I’m constantly on the go and travelling across the country, which unfortunately means I can’t be with you in the room today.

However, I’ve spent a fair bit of time in South Australia this year, which is why I know there’s a number of challenges and opportunities across your state that you’ll look to collaborate on.

You’ll do this because you all want to get the best result for your community, big or small.

I’d never been to William Creek before, but now I’ll never forget it.

Not just because of the fantastic hospitality from local stalwart and business owner Trevor Wright – who I’m sure some of you know.

Not just because I’m one of the very few Federal Ministers from all political persuasions that has travelled on the Oodnadatta Track and to Roxby Downs.

But because walking around in that rich red dust really reaffirmed why a one-size-fits-all mentality, pre-determined in Canberra just doesn’t work for our regions and for our local government sector.

It’s something Geoff Brock, your state Local Government Minister, who you heard from earlier today knows very well.

It’s something that both Dean Johnson and Clinton Jury are working hard to overcome, as they advocate for all of you in the room.

I’ve been lucky enough to catch up with all three of these local leaders throughout the year, both in South Australia and in Canberra.

I hope this regular engagement provides all of you with the confidence that the Albanese Labor Government is doing things differently.

As a former Mayor myself, I understand the importance of active collaboration between all levels of Government.

As does our Prime Minister – who previously served as Minister for Local Government.

It’s why we re-established the Australian Council of Local Government in June this year, the first meeting of its kind in more than a decade.

It was great to see so many of you in attendance.

It’s why I’ve met with over 250 local councils directly since I became Minister for Local Government, almost eighteen months ago.

Bringing local government back to the table, making you part of the decision-making, and keeping this two-way dialogue open is our top priority.

When we work together, we improve the services that our communities rely on.

We deliver the support where it’s needed most.

It’s also how we don’t end up with the next script for Utopia!

We’ve listened, and we’re rolling out record support across key policy areas.

Road funding, regional grants, our energy transition, disaster response and preparedness, and enabling infrastructure.

We’re doing this to ensure that you can deliver on local priorities that are high-impact.

Housing is an issue for us all, and our Government understands that local governments have a role in addressing Australia’s housing supply shortage.

That’s why in August, the Prime Minister announced the Housing Support Program.

A $500 million competitive funding program for local, state and territory governments.

The guidelines are currently being finalised – and have been informed by the local government sector.

It’s about supporting enabling infrastructure, essential services and amenities in the development and construction of new houses or accommodation.

That’s because enabling infrastructure around your new home in just as critical as the construction of the house itself.

We need good roads too, because communities are growing, because our roads are in more demand than ever before, and because we’re all sick of pot holes.

We all want roads, especially in our regional areas, to be safe and reliable, so that locals can drop off the kids and get to work efficiently.

So that visitors can get around and experience what South Australia has to offer.

It’s why it was great to announce last week with Minister Brock and Clinton, that $17.9 million is flowing to 28 projects under the latest round of the Special Local Roads Program.

Over $13 million of this funding going to rural projects, because we know so much work needs to be done outside of our big cities.

Over $4.5 million towards urban projects, which will make a huge difference in South Australia’s busiest areas.

This is a program unique to South Australia, and one that’s been going for almost 40 years.

A real testament to the determination of LGA SA, and their continued advocacy is why we’ve extended our investment in this program.

It’s also why an additional $64 million is flowing under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program to South Australian councils.

Funding that will go a long way to supporting local jobs, improving road safety, boosting economic opportunities.

Funding that will advance a range of new community experiences and positive social outcomes.

We’re also investing $1 billion over three years in a range of regional grants programs.

Our $600 million through the Growing Regions program.

Our $400 million through the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

Our $200 million through the Thriving Suburbs Program, which is the urban equivalent of Growing Regions.

Programs that will be transparent in both their application and assessment process.

Programs that will support local councils to continue to progress the types of projects communities are screaming out for.

From supporting shovel-ready projects, advancing business cases, and community partnerships.

These programs will help councils give their communities a new lease on life.

We also know that improving energy efficiency is a priority for local councils that want to reduce their carbon footprint and save money where they can, so they can re-invest it into other important local services.

It’s why we’ve established the Community Energy Upgrades Fund.

$100 million from the Albanese Government, which through co-funding arrangements, has the potential to unlock over $200 million in high-impact energy upgrades.

Things like energy-saving heat pumps for council pools, LED lighting at libraries and community hubs, and battery storage at sporting fields.

The guidelines are on the way, so watch this space, because this will make a huge impact into how your run your operations.

That program adds to our $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund, which will also support clean-energy solutions, create local jobs and increase our resilience to climate change.

We’re supporting disaster recovery, because we know natural disasters like the Black Summer Bushfires and Murray River floods are increasing in frequency and ferocity.

That’s why we’re injecting more money into recovery and preparedness.

We’ve advanced more than $42 million to South Australian councils to fast-track local repair works, following these disasters.

I can’t underestimate the huge role local government plays in both the initial response to, and the recovery from disasters.

I know LGA SA has made a submission to the Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding.

This will complement a separate review into the Disaster Recover Funding Arrangements, both scheduled for completion in April next year.

I look forward to seeing the outcome of this, and the impact doing things differently will make in our communities.

I’d like to pause here and acknowledge the innovation and ideas that come from local governments to better prepare our regions for natural disasters.

In the National Awards for Local Government this year, we recognised the Renmark Paringa Council in South Australia for its River Murray Flood - Levee Network and Interactive Mapping Tool.

This interactive map allowed the Renmark Paringa community to know at all times what part of the levee was being worked on and what the forward schedule of works was going to be.

This in turn kept the community engaged, eased their anxiety of being inundated with flood waters again and remained the single and central point of truth when the weather turned.

I know that coastal management is also an important issue for you, with fifty percent of South Australia’s councils being responsible for at least part of the state’s coastline.

The Albanese Government is pleased to be funding six initiatives in your state – totalling over $6.7 million – through our $50 million Coastal Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program.[1]

We all want to build communities that are stronger, safer and smarter. 

The Albanese Government knows this future cannot be created without partnering with local governments.

You’re so much more than roads, rates and rubbish.

You understand local communities like no-one else.

As I’ve discussed today, you’re a key partner in delivering the roads, community infrastructure, energy transition, and housing projects needed to transform our communities.

I hope you enjoy the many productive conversations you’ll have during the day and I look forward to catching up with you soon.