GST funds could help support NSW councils, says expert
A LOCAL government planning expert has called for a portion of GST to go straight to councils.
Currently GST is distributed between states but Griffith University planning professor Darryl Low Choy said the tax would give councils a reliable income stream without having to rely as heavily on state and federal government handouts.
"It would be good if a portion of GST went directly to local governments," he said.
"Local government is a creation of state government as it stands. They exist at the whim of a state government."
Professor Low Choy said councils provided vital services to residents - but struggled with funding.
He said an assured long-term income stream would allow councils to plan better over the longer term.
- APN NEWSDESK
