Byron Shire Council is calling on the community to help lobby the Australian Government to restore proper funding through their Federal Assistance Grants program from the current 0.5 percent of tax revenue to 1 percent.
"I think our community would be shocked to know that Financial Assistance Grants to councils have fallen from around 1 percent of Commonwealth tax revenue in the mid-1990s to about 0.5 percent today. At the same time, councils are being expected to deliver more and more essential services," Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said.
"This is especially cruel for Byron Shire where essential services need to be delivered across a dispersed geographical area with a ratepayer base of only 15,500 properties, substantial visitor numbers, and the federal government has cut us off at the knees through their Federal Assistance Grants program.
"Restoring the Federal Assistance Grants to 1 percent would make a massive difference to us and mean we could get on with the job of delivering the services and infrastructure our community deserves and relies on, including filling the potholes, building better and safer roads, maintaining our parks and hundreds of community services and facilities," the Mayor said.
"It's why I'm asking my fellow community members to add your voice to the Invest in Us online campaign at yoursay.byron.nsw.gov.au/invest or drop into Council's Mullumbimby Offices and fill in our survey so we can send a clear message to Canberra: stop robbing us of the money local government deserves to deliver the essential services our communities rely on.
"Invest in Us is a campaign spearheaded by the NSW Country Mayor's Association and it's about highlighting the real needs of Councils and demanding more from the Australian Government on behalf of our communities," the Mayor said.
Local governments employ over 200,000 people across more than 400 occupations, manage assets worth $640 billion with an annual operating spend of $38 billion. Local governments are responsible for managing one-third of Australia's public infrastructure and 77 percent of the national road network.
In addition to these existing challenges, local governments are now being burdened with the increased demand for services due to the impact of climate change, particularly in areas like Northern Rivers, where climate disasters are becoming more frequent.
"The Federal Assistance Grants, first introduced by the Whitlam government in 1974, were designed to help local governments fund essential services. However, at 0.5 percent, the current level is simply not sustainable for us to continue delivering the services and infrastructure our communities rely on," Mayor Ndiaye emphasised.
"It's time for the Australian Government to 'get real', stop tinkering around the edges trying to lure votes with sugar hits, and make meaningful change.
We need serious investment in local government - a move that will ultimately improve the quality of life for all Australians."
"Please use your voice - get online and sign our online petition on Your Say and help us send a clear message to the Australian Government that they need to get real and restore these grants to 1 percent," the Mayor said.
Have your say online by 30 August 2026 at https://yoursay.byron.nsw.gov.au/invest
