Infrastructure funding tops peak council body’s State Budget prioritie

Published on 03 March 2026

Queensland’s peak body for councils is calling for increased road funding, additional support to build recycling and resource recovery infrastructure, and more resources to help future-proof ageing water and wastewater assets in the upcoming State Budget.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) says the June budget should also include more funding to repair and rebuild flood-impacted homes, along with additional resources for reef protection and the fight against invasive fire ants.

LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnett said councils need extra resources to partner effectively with State Government to tackle infrastructure bottlenecks and unlock more economic opportunities.

“Queensland councils’ ability to deliver real solutions is unmatched but cost-shifting, cost escalation and workforce shortages are ever-present challenges,” Mayor Burnett said.

“To overcome these challenges, we need a State Budget that funds the critical infrastructure councils have identified as the key to their community’s futures.

“Extra road funding will improve access and reliability for agricultural producers, freight operators and regional industries.

“It will also mean better connections to markets, processing facilities and transport hubs, as well as enhanced everyday connectivity for local communities.

“Councils have an equal partnership agreement with the State Government, and this requires proper State funding and the renowned council know-how which we know achieves results.”

LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said Queensland councils strongly support the reintroduction of a State-funded program to assist them to maintain and renew ageing water and wastewater facilities, amid warnings of an “infrastructure cliff”.

“Councils have more than 82,000 kilometres of water and wastewater mains and around 480 water treatment plants to maintain, a mammoth task that’s only possible with State funding,” Ms Smith said.

“The State Government funded a water and wastewater maintenance program from the 1930s to 2009, and this needs to be reinstated in response to the critical challenges councils now face.

“The renewal of council water and wastewater infrastructure assets that are reaching the end of their useful life is now critical, highlighting the urgency of the task at hand.”

The LGAQ’s State Budget Submission key priorities include:

  • Increasing the Transport Infrastructure Development Schemes (TIDS) to $100 million per annum; 
  • Reintroducing a Water and Sewerage Infrastructure Program to ensure regional communities have the same access to essential services as those who live in the city;
  • Pausing reductions in Waste Levy annual payments, and investing in a 10-year Blueprint for Resource Recovery to drive the future of resource recovery in Queensland to reduce waste and boost recycling;
  • Investing in disaster resilience by building back better across Queensland and building more houses in discrete First Nations communities. 

Independent modelling indicates the funding priorities outlined in the LGAQ’s State Budget submission would boost Queensland’s Gross State Product by approximately $3.4 billion ($846 million per annum) and support an average of 5,107 FTE jobs a year across Queensland. 

The LGAQ State Budget submission also includes requests for:

  • $24 million over two years towards the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce to support the long-term goal of a fire ant-free Queensland;
  • $20 million over four years to expand Queensland’s stock route network to support the state’s livestock industry and preserve an important part of Queensland's rural identity;
  • $58 million over four years to partner with Queensland’s Reef councils to support measures to improve the health and prospects of the reef;
  • Additional investment in Indigenous housing to support improved health, education, domestic and family violence, youth suicide and youth justice outcomes;
  • Extending the First Home Owner Grant to be available for the purchase of any new dwelling, any existing dwelling and for the renovation and refurbishment of existing housing stock in rural and remote communities;
  • The continuation of key funded programs delivered by the LGAQ in partnership between the Queensland Government and councils. 

The LGAQ will partner with councils in the lead-up to the State Budget to continue ongoing campaigns for a long-overdue increase to the State Government’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS), a fairer path to waste reduction for all Queenslanders and the urgent need for water and wastewater infrastructure funding reform and needs.

Click here for grabs from LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnett.

Click here for grabs from LGAQ CEO Alison Smith.

Tagged as:
Back to top