Councils launch $10m campaign for constitutional recognition FROM fixing dangerous roads, to providing safe places for disadvantaged kids, training little nippers and keeping football teams at their local grounds - councils fear they could lose it all if they are not included in the constitution. Councils are preparing to launch a $10 million campaign to convince Australia to vote "yes" to include local government in the constitution at the Federal election. The NSW Local Government Association is concerned that, without constitutional recognition, direct federal funding of local councils would be put at risk. "It's vital, it's your local community receiving Commonwealth funding and it's been challenged, as simple as that," president Keith Rhoades said. Local government cannot survive without grants. Mr Rhoades pointed to two High Court cases (2009 and 2012) which directly questioned the commonwealth's power to fund local government - without constitutional recognition, such uncertainty would remain. Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne said the proposed amendment was a small but important change that would ensure the Federal Government continued to provide funds for local services and infrastructure. "Without funding from the Commonwealth, many of our community assets such as sporting fields, playgrounds, swimming pools and many of our local roads would never have been built or upgraded," he said. A Federal Government grant that brought Leichhardt Oval up to NRL standard is the reason the Tigers are still playing at their spiritual home. Port Stephens Mayor Bruce Mackenzie said, without $8 million in federal funding, his council would have not been able to upgrade roads for residents and tourists. Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said only direct and secure funding from the federal government could lock in significant infrastructure for the city. Woollahra Council would not have been able to fund the Gap Park Masterplan - it received $1.5 million to improve one of the east's most popular tourist destinations and introduce self-harm minimisation measures. Randwick Mayor Tony Bowen said the change would remove doubt about the federal government's ability to fund key projects, especially road upgrades. Hornsby Council voted against the referendum, and Liverpool Cr Peter Harle warned it would affect councils' ability to stay independent. "I believe the loss of control at a local level to Canberra is not worth the risks involved," he said.