Published on Friday, 27 June 2025 at 6:27:13 PM
Representatives from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder attended the 2025 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly in Canberra this week, where they advocated for stronger support for regional Australia.
The ALGA National General Assembly is the largest annual gathering of local government leaders in Australia, providing a national platform to influence federal policy and advocate for community needs.
Led by Mayor Glenn Wilson, the City’s delegation put forward three key motions at the national conference, calling for action on transitional homelessness and better regional health service funding.
Mayor Wilson said the motions were grounded in real challenges being felt not just in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, but across regional and remote communities around the country.
“We put forward practical solutions based on what we’re experiencing on the ground,” Mayor Wilson said.
“When you’re 600 kilometres from the nearest capital city, you face unique challenges, and it’s important that decision-makers in Canberra understand that.”
The City’s first motion called for a nationwide response to transitional Aboriginal homelessness, highlighting the growing number of people travelling from remote communities to regional cities like Kalgoorlie-Boulder without access to safe temporary accommodation or support services.
The motion was based on findings from the City’s recent landmark report on transitional Aboriginal homelessness and anti-social behaviour, which brought together insights from more than 30 stakeholders across WA, SA, and the NT, including Aboriginal organisations, police, and community services. The report emphasised the need for culturally informed, community-led responses that reflect the realities of regional areas and support Closing the Gap priorities.
“We’re seeking to work with First Nations leaders to design fit-for-purpose solutions not just for housing, but for the support services that go hand-in-hand with it,” Mayor Wilson said.
“Local governments are doing what we can, but we need national coordination and investment to make to ensure solutions are effective long-term.”
To continue driving this national conversation, the City will also work with stakeholders to deliver a Think Tank later this year, bringing together representatives from across Australia to explore best practice solutions.
A second motion calls for a full review of the Modified Monash Model (MMM), which determines funding eligibility for health and aged care professionals based on location.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder shares the same classification as coastal towns much closer to major cities, despite its remote location.
“The MMM was last updated in 2019. It is outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose. This motion is simply asking for fairness,” Mayor Wilson said
“A better model would help attract more doctors, nurses, and specialists to regional communities like ours, where we really need them, and in turn improve the availability of health services,” he said.
The third motion requested that the Federal Government reduce red tape and provide better support for local governments trying to secure infrastructure funding, particularly for early planning and feasibility work.
“Most grants are set up for shovel-ready projects, but councils, especially regional cities like Kalgoorlie-Boulder, often can’t afford to get to that stage without support,” Mayor Wilson said.
“Planning for infrastructure can cost a significant amount of money, and we want to see more targeted funding and fewer hoops to jump through so that projects have a chance to get off the ground.”
A similar motion from another local government was endorsed at the National Assembly, highlighting just how strongly aligned local governments are on this issue, as it moves forward to the Federal Government.
Mayor Wilson said the City was proud to be a strong voice not only for Kalgoorlie-Boulder but also for the broader Goldfields region.
“We know we’re not alone in facing these challenges. That’s why we took motions to the Federal Government that reflect the priorities of many regional and remote communities, not just our own,” he said.
“We’re leading the conversation to make sure regional voices are heard at the highest levels, helping ensure that the challenges faced by regional communities are not just acknowledged but acted on by our national leaders,” said Mayor Wilson.
Photo L-R: Cr Kyran O’Donnell, Cr Carla Viskovich, Director Corporate and Commercial Cassandra Jaeger, CEO Andrew Brien, Mayor Glenn Wilson, (absent from photo but part of the delegation Cr Nardia Turner).
Back to All News