SEQ Mayors met with the Premier David Crisafulli and the Opposition last week to discuss cost-of-living impacts, waste levy costs, and the lack of infrastructure funding.

“Councils can only deliver services to our community when the Federal and State governments deliver infrastructure and facilities for our community,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said.

Local government receives less than 3 percent of tax revenue while the Federal and State governments collect more than 97 percent of tax revenue.

National Institute of Economic and Industry Research data showed South East Queensland’s gross regional product reached $334.05 billion, up 2.1 percent in the past year.

There were 101,000 new residents, 68,000 new jobs created and 384,321 small businesses.

The South East region is forecast to grow three times faster than global peers in the next 20 years.

“Councils in South East Queensland represent more than 70 percent of Queensland’s population, so we can be a powerful voice when we advocate together,” Cr Harding said.

“Cost-of-living impacts on councils and our residents, the increasing cost of the waste levy, and a lack of infrastructure funding to manage our growing population were key themes for all councils.”

The Mayor also discussed the impacts of the Warrego Highway bridge incident with the Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg and the need to manage ongoing delays and flow-on challenges.