Council has endorsed advocating for a “claw back” provision to regain lost indexation funding (CPI increases) from the 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/7 financial years.

Council receives in the vicinity of $3.6 million per year, which previously was indexed on an annual basis based upon changes to both CPI and population.

At the time of this announcement it was estimated that such a freeze would reduce council’s revenue by approximately $3.3 million over a 10-year period.

During that period it was estimated to reduce council’s financial assistance grants (FAGs) funding by $200,000 and $400,000 per year.

Mayor Paul Maytom said in his “mayoral minute” report to council with the approach of the 2017/18 financial year where the initial freeze to indexing should be removed, it was now time for council to make appropriate representations to ensure this vital source of funding for council is restored to our community.

“Significant lobbying was encouraged and undertaken by the Australia Local Government Association (ALGA) when the changes were first announced and the ALGA has now recommenced the campaign to reinstate the previous funding provisions provided by the FAGs,” he said.

“The ALGA now needs the support of all affected local government areas including Leeton shire to lobby our respective local federal members to ensure the financial stability of local government and its role in servicing our communities into the future.”

Councillor Maytom will write to the Member for Farrer Sussan Ley seeking the reinstatement of the indexation provisions for the FAGs funding.