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The presentation by GRA Partners at the 2025 NGAA Congress explores how growth area councils can craft powerful, strategic narratives to secure funding and support for their communities. In a federal landscape shaped by a historic Labor majority and evolving public expectations, councils must align their advocacy with both government priorities—like productivity, housing, and cost of living relief—and what their communities truly value, such as local roads, community safety, and planning.
Public sentiment data shows that Australians increasingly trust state governments over the federal level and that concerns around cost of living, housing affordability, and healthcare dominate the national conversation. Local councils, meanwhile, face varied expectations across states—from infrastructure in Victoria to community services in South Australia. By understanding these differing needs and overlaying them with government ambitions, councils can locate their “sweet spot”—the intersection of government, community, council, media, and private sector interests.
GRA Partners emphasises the importance of evidence-based, emotionally resonant narratives supported by a clear strategic framework. Successful advocacy involves more than a compelling pitch; it requires a structured process of deep stakeholder research, project refinement, community validation, and a unified vision. With this approach, growth councils can meaningfully influence funding decisions and policy reform, ensuring their rapidly expanding communities aren’t left behind.
