How Local Voices Have Opened the Door to National Funding
“Big change began with two people deciding their everyday experience should shape national decisions.”
A priority crossing
Big change often starts close to home. Sometimes it begins with two people deciding their everyday experience should shape national decisions.
Kirsty Dare and Brooke Thompson have taken on our Better Streets campaign to secure a large, ongoing Australian Government funding program for active transport. The goal is simple: predictable investment that helps councils, equivalent to $15 per person annually (the current amount is a paltry $0.90 annually).
Their first step was to act locally.
They brought a motion to Waverley Council via Councillor Fabiano asking Council to support the campaign and take the proposal toa motion the Nationa a motionmotional General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government. Across Australia, local councils have the opportunity to influence national policy through the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to secure a large, ongoing Australian Government funding program.
The National General Assembly (NGA) is the largest annual gathering of local government leaders in the country. When a motion passes there, it becomes a united voice representing communities nationwide.
Council supported the motion and it passed
The motion calls on the Australian Government to recognise walking, cycling and micromobility as essential parts of Australia’s transport infrastructure system. The motion asks the Commonwealth to establish a nationally coordinated funding framework and provide long-term investment so councils can deliver safe, connected active transport networks.
How the process works
For a motion to reach the National General Assembly, it first needs to be formally submitted by a council. That means:
A councillor lodges the motion for consideration at a council meeting.
At the council meeting councillors debate the proposal and vote on whether to support it. Members of the public are able to speak to the motion.
If adopted, the council submits the motion to ALGA for inclusion in the National General Assembly agenda.
Motions that receive strong support can then shape national advocacy priorities for local government.
Just as powerful as the outcome was how the case was made. Here are some tips from their experience.
Share the roles. At the Council meeting one speaker grounded the discussion in evidence, funding realities and how government decisions actually get made.
Lead with lived experience. Another person spoke about how safer streets change daily life in ways people instantly understand.
Show the practical benefits. Councillors respond to proposals that improve delivery, fairness and community outcomes.click here
End with people. Decisions land strongest when they connect back to real livclick herees.
This is how local leadership grows click hereinto national momentum. One council chamber at a time.
For the full agenda of the Waverley council meeting, click here
