📊 NGA2026 opportunity: have your say in Payble's review of local government financial sustainability. We're delighted to welcome Payble chief economist Dailius Wilson back to the National General Assembly, where he'll talk about Payble's research into the impacts of rising inflation and widening costs on Australia's councils. Payble is inviting delegates to complete their short, complementary survey, to add your views alongside the hard data. Respond to @paybypayble's 4 questions here: videoask.com/f3pe3h8hq National General Assembly, Canberra | 23-25 June Register here: conferenceco-nga2026.eventsa… @MAV_1879 @LGNSW @LGAQ @LGATasmania @LGAofSA @WALGA

📢 NGA News | Lyndsay Douglas to host inaugural Urban Forum at NGA2026 We're excited to confirm that Lyndsey Douglas is back by popular demand, this time hosting the inaugural Urban Forum at this year's NGA. Sponsored by @KPMG, the Urban Forum will drill down on the priorities of councils in Australia's growing cities. Lyndsey will steer an exciting program with discussions about the State of our Cities, communicating to large populations during emergencies, the ingredients for building precincts where people want to be, decarbonisation in higher density living, and community cohesion in fast-growing cities. National General Assembly, Canberra | 23-25 June Register here: conferenceco-nga2026.eventsa…

📢 NGA Regional Forum - Disaster Management Fatigue For many councils, 'recovery mode' is their everyday, with natural disasters and emergencies coming one after the other, stretching resources and driving Disaster Management Fatigue. Experts Megan Hibbert, Dr Helen Durham and Dr Bhiamie Williamson will drive a discussion around what this means for councils, and Megan Hibbert, Assistant Coordinator-General (NMTF) will discuss the National Messaging System. @Helen_A_Durham is the CEO of RedR. She brings deep expertise in humanitarian response, resilience and the practical realities of supporting communities through crisis and recovery. Dr @bhiamie Williamson will bring a First Nations perspective on disaster impacts and recovery, and the importance of culturally informed approaches in preparedness and response. National General Assembly, Canberra | 23-25 June Register here: conferenceco-nga2026.eventsa…

📢 NGA news - Regional Forum keynote speaker Welcoming Federal Minister for Local Government @KristyMcBain to this year's Regional Forum. National General Assembly, Canberra | 23-25 June Register here: conferenceco-nga2026.eventsa…

📢NGA news: the inaugural Urban Forum at this year's NGA is all about councils in growing cities. Kicking off with keynotes from Federal Minister for Cities and Housing, Clare O'Neil, and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. National General Assembly, Canberra | 23-25 June Register here: conferenceco-nga2026.eventsa…

ALGA President, Mayor Matt Burnett, in Canberra last week to bring the call for financial security for councils to the Federal Government. Post script: we look forward to welcoming around 1,300 delegates to the NGA, but thank our friends at WIN TV for the boost 💪🏻📣

Our President, Mayor Matt Burnett, busy in Canberra today talking to government and media about the financial pressures faced by Australia's 538 councils. Mayor Burnett has a very clear message: local government’s financial stress is systemic. It's not isolated, and it's not the result of poor local decisions. ALGA has long said that councils are managing expanding infrastructure and service responsibilities under a funding model that has not kept pace with rising costs, community expectations or national policy demands. We're calling for baseline funding to be restored to at least 1 percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue. Better funding for local government is a national investment in productivity, resilience and community wellbeing.

📢 Coming up THIS WEEK - the final webinar in our Disability Inclusion series. Thursday 4 June - Participation, Community Life and the Built Environment Register here: alga.com.au/event/webinar-di… Local governments play a critical role in facilitating participation, community life, and an inclusive built environment. However, many people continue to experience barriers to participation due to the inaccessibility of buildings, transport, public spaces and facilities. This webinar, the final in our four-part series, will focus on identifying challenges, sharing responsibilities, and exploring practical strategies to help councils reduce barriers and create more inclusive, accessible communities that support participation in community life and the built environment.

Coming to join us in beautiful Cairns? Registration for the 2026 National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress is NOW OPEN. Learn more: conferenceco-roads-congress-…

🎤 Tim Cox, MC | NGA 2026 Regional Forum ALGA is excited to welcome Tim Cox to Canberra as MC and host of this year's Regional Forum for NGA2026. Tim has been hosting events across the country for more than three decades, and you've probably also heard him on the airwaves. By day, he is Communications Manager (and in-house MC) at the @LGAQ - Local Government Association of Queensland, and before that spent 25 years as an award-winning ABC Radio broadcaster – a career his grandmother foretold, often saying he had been “vaccinated with a gramophone needle”. Tim will take delegates through a fantastic program, including State of the Regions with demographer Simon Kuestenmacher, Disaster Management Fatigue with RedR CEO Dr Helen Durham AO, Dr Bhiamie Williamson and Meghan Hibbert GAICD, Regional Health with sHedway founder Carol Mudford, Opportunities and Challenges in the Renewable Transition with Australian Energy Commissioner Tony Mahar, Regional Planning Institute CEO Liz Ritchie and Mayor Andrew Smith of Western Downs Regional Council. If you haven't already registered, jump in: alga.com.au/event/2026-natio…

🎤 Keynote Speaker Announcement | NGA 2026 Regional Forum Gavin Williams knows regional Australia. As nbn’s Chief Development Officer Regional and Remote, he has travelled the length and breadth of the country, working with councils, communities, and local leaders to strengthen connectivity where it matters most. With more than 30 years in telecommunications, Gavin brings a deep understanding of the realities on the ground, and the role digital infrastructure plays in regional resilience and growth. ALGA is proud to again partner with nbn to deliver the 2026 National General Assembly. As a Foundation Partner, nbn continues to demonstrate a genuine commitment to regional and remote communities across Australia. Representing nbn at this year’s Regional Forum, Gavin will join us with a keynote address focused on regional development, inclusion and opportunity and the future of connection for our regions. The Regional Forum is a cornerstone of the NGA program, bringing together local government and industry leaders to focus on what matters most to regional Australia. We thank nbn for its continued leadership and partnership in supporting this important conversation. Haven’t yet registered? Don’t miss out 👉 conferenceco-nga2026.eventsa…

What does last night's Federal Budget mean for local government? ➡️ Check out ALGA's Budget analysis and fact sheets here: alga.com.au/alga-analysis-of… ➡️ And take a look at our media release to see what our President, Mayor Matt Burnett, is saying about how the Budget lands for Australia's 538 councils: alga.com.au/a-mixed-bag-for-…

Budget delivers major win on housing infrastructure after sustained local government advocacy ALGA welcomes the Federal Government’s Budget commitment of $2 billion for housing enabling infrastructure, describing it as a significant step forward that reflects years of sustained advocacy by local government. The Albanese Government’s Budget on Tuesday night will include an extra $2 billion – including $500 million dedicated to regional Australia – over four years from 2026-27 to fund critical infrastructure and build up to 65,000 new homes. ALGA President Mayor Matt Burnett said the announcement demonstrated the Federal Government had listened to councils’ repeated calls for greater investment in the local infrastructure needed to unlock housing supply across Australia. “This is a very significant investment, and it could not come at a better time,” Mayor Burnett said. “This commitment recognises that enabling infrastructure has been one of the biggest barriers to increasing housing supply and affordability across Australia.” “It’s a strong sign the Federal Government has heard the concerns local governments have been raising for years. Councils have consistently said you can’t build homes without the roads, drainage, water connections and community infrastructure that make new developments possible and liveable. Read our full statement here: alga.com.au/budget-delivers-…

Ahead of next Tuesday's Federal Budget, we're delivering a message from Australia's 538 councils: back Australians where they’re hurting most - in their local communities. Read ALGA's media release here: alga.com.au/the-message-from…