Cassowary Coast Advocacy Supported by QLD Councils
Community safety and primary health care are among three Cassowary Coast advocacy items that will progress to the State and Federal agenda thanks to support of Queensland councils.
This week’s Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) annual conference also recognised the value of councils in protecting the Great Barrier Reef through the support of a third Cassowary Coast motion.
The motions will form a hierarchy of needs for inclusion in the LGAQ’s advocacy action plan to secure State and Federal support for Queensland councils.
Mayor Mark Nolan attended the conference to put forward the motions on behalf of the Cassowary Coast community.
“These motions were based on our 2022 Scorecard outcomes which identified health and public safety among the community’s highest priority areas, and also form part of Council’s 2023 Advocacy Plan,” said Mayor Nolan.
“To have all three supported by fellow councils and endorsed by LGAQ places us front-and-centre of the Queensland and Federal Governments.”
The collaboration of councils also celebrated a significant win when the Premier announced $300 million over three years for Works for Queensland.
“Securing the future of Works for Queensland funding is testament to how this advocacy turns into real outcomes when we band together and have our voices heard,” said Mayor Nolan.
“We congratulate LGAQ on their campaigning to make this happen.”
The Cassowary Coast’s motions that were endorsed included:
Community Safety funding from Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 (CPCA)
The LGAQ calls on the State Government to establish a local government funding program derived from the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 (CPCA) where money and property forfeited to the State as proceeds of crime is sold and returned to the State’s consolidated revenue fund, a portion to be redirected to be reinvested in the community, through a local government community safety funding program.
Implementation of the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan)
The LGAQ calls on the State and Federal governments to:
1. Recognise the role of councils in delivering outcomes required from the Reef 2050 Plan through funding and collaboration through programs such as the Reef Guardian Program; and
2. Include addressing the impacts from road and drainage sediment run-off and nutrient enrichment of groundwater and sub-soils, as priority strategic actions in the Reef 2050 Plan to reduce the impacts from land-based activities.
Collaboration to deliver improved community health outcomes
The LGAQ calls on the State and Federal governments to actively engage with local governments, health providers and other stakeholders to better understand primary health care needs across Queensland’s regions and deliver new place-based solutions to improve community health outcomes.
For further information contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.