Mayor Jenny Whitney said the FAGs are an important untied payment to Council that are invested into essential community infrastructure and services ranging from roads, parks, swimming pools and libraries.

“This funding forms an important part of our revenue base - providing dollars towards grass roots community services,” she said.

“Unfortunately, due to the indexation freeze funding is not currently keeping pace with the demand for services and infrastructure in local councils.

“This means that previous automatic increases that were built into the scheme will cease and there will be a permanent reduction in the current level of funding by 13%,

“With the increased cost to deliver frontline services there will be an even greater shortfall if the
indexation freeze isn’t reversed, which could see a reduction in services and new infrastructure.
“We need the indexation to be restored to ensure the continued provision of important services in our local communities,” she said.

Whitsunday Regional Council is working with the Whitsunday Regional Organisation of Councils,
the Local Government Association of Queensland and the Australian Local Government
Association in discussing not only Council’s appreciation, but also the importance of this important funding stream to local communities from the Commonwealth.