Lempriere dreads ‘big freeze’

By Paul Dunlop
HELL freezing over? Or more recognition of local government by its federal counterpart?
Cardinia Shire councillor Kate Lempriere has her money on a sudden cold snap downstairs.
The Toomuc Ward representative said at the 15 August meeting of council that local councils were under unfair pressure to perform functions that were previously the domain of state and federal governments.
She accused the other levels of government of “avoiding or resisting” their obligations and said they needed to immediately direct more funds into local councils.
Cr Lempriere said ratepayers could not be expected to continue to shoulder the burden.
“The situation is clearly not sustainable,” she said.
“We are the people, the face of the community.”
Cr Lempriere’s comments came in reaction to a Federal Government response to a recent report on local government and cost shifting, discussed at council’s meeting.
The report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration identified cost shifting as a significant problem for councils.
The report estimated that cost shifting currently cost local government between $500 million and $1.1 billion each year.
Councillors were told that the Federal Government had responded to the report by expressing a commitment to “explore opportunities to further develop partnerships with local government to the benefit of local communities”.
An officer’s report said the federal response included an acknowledgment that local government should be better recognised by both houses of Parliament.
“I reckon hell will freeze over before that happens,” Cr Lempriere said.
With Cardinia Shire facing the challenges of fast growth and a rural road network previously described by officers as “haemorrhaging”, councillors said it was vital that local government was given more attention and funding.
Councillors were pleased to see that some progress was being made. Cr Lempriere said she wanted to make sure it continued.