Budget Special
Friday 22 June 2022
Viewed as a whole, the NSW State Budget aligns with LGNSW’s Pre-Budget Submission by recognising the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of our community infrastructure, services and systems.
Our calls for investment in water projects, climate change mitigation, affordable housing, accessible infrastructure, and waste and recycling management were echoed in key Budget announcements, as was our advocacy for the funding of pressing social priorities in the areas of health, including mental health, domestic violence, Aboriginal communities, building regulation and community services.
Investment in all these areas generates jobs, supports businesses or helps prevent future remedial expenditure. The right level of investment has the potential to achieve these outcomes while simultaneously delivering public good.
If there is much to praise in the State Government’s 2022-23 Budget, there is also a strong sense of opportunities missed. It is fair to say that, in many cases, greater investment would have delivered the multiplier effect necessary to help our communities better withstand economic downturns.
In some areas we are pleased that the Government has recognised and responded to unmet need. And in others – most notably road funding, which is the biggest ticket budget item for local government – it’s disappointing that funding remains roughly on par with previous years. This “steady as she goes” approach undoubtedly follows the Budgetary impact of the COVID pandemic and a string of natural disasters.
As with any State Budget, there was a lack of detail in some areas of critical importance to councils and the communities they serve. Over the next few weeks we’ll be digging deeper and advocating strongly on your behalf to ensure local government can continue to help manage the challenges our economy and our communities face.
The following summaries take a look at how our sector’s advocacy priorities fared in the NSW State Budget, and other Budget initiatives we believe will contribute to a better NSW.
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