From LGA President, Sam Telfer:

LGFA support for the LGFSG 

I am thrilled to announce that the Local Government Finance Authority (LGFA) has generously committed to providing the Local Government Functional Support Group (LGFSG) with a once-off grant of $350,000 in 2020/21.

The LGFSG has played a vital role in our sector’s response to bushfires and COVID-19 and this funding will benefit all SA councils by increasing the LGFSG’s capacity to assist members and support better coordination across the sector, and with our partners in government.

This much needed financial assistance will allow the LGFSG to purchase fit for purpose equipment, implement training programs to ensure the safety of local government workers, and address the recommendations of an independent review of the LGFSG’s operations that was undertaken after this year’s bushfire season.

For almost forty years the LGFA has been a valued member of our local government family, providing councils with competitive deposit rates and market-leading lending rates, while also indirectly funding the Local Government Research & Development Scheme via the tax equivalent regime.

This funding complements a doubling of the LGA’s own budget for LGFSG and the funding commitment from the LGA Mutual Liability Scheme for the Council Ready program that assists councils with emergency planning.

It is greatly appreciated and will support the LGFSG and councils to better assist communities during emergency events.