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Issue No. 296 | 24 February 2006 |
Sad Sacks
Interview: Court's in Session Industrial: Whose Choices? Politics: Peter's Principles Environment: TINA or Greener? History: Its Not Just Handshakes and Aprons International: US Locks out Jose' Bove Education: No AWA - No Job Culture: Jesus was a Long-Grass Man Review: Charlie the Serf
Taskforce Shrugs Bashed Teen Worker �Castle Win Keeps Trains On Track �Revolving Gangplank' at Sydney Ferries NSW Councils Short $21 billion
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
For Whom the Toll Bells Unfinished Business Labor Sells Hydro Stop the Hordes Packer Whacker
Labor Council of NSW |
News NSW Councils Short $21 billion
The United services Union has backed a call by reserve bank Governor Ian Macfarlane for the Federal government to hand over billions in GST revenue to the states to address the shortfall. "When the Reserve Bank Governor makes comments like that it is time for all politicians to sit up and take notice," said USU Executive President Michael Want. "Right across NSW we have regional communities struggling to maintain services and improve infrastructure due to lack of funds."
The Union will be running a public awareness campaign and cites findings in the Independent Study commissioned by the Local Government Association of NSW, which shows that:
� Councils require $14.6 billion over the next 15 years for asset replacement over and above maintenance requirements, double the rate of current expenditure;
� There is an annual infrastructure spending gap of up to $600 million replacement cost;
� There is an Infrastructure backlog of $6.3 billion, or 13 per cent of total asset value.
According to Michael Want these figures confirm the union's call for a substantial financial commitment to local government. "While NSW continues to be robbed of $3 billion per year it will be difficult to address this funding crisis," he said. The United Services Union, representing over 30,000 local government workers across NSW.
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