Federal Government funding provided under the popular $1.2 billion Roads to Recovery Programme is being spent largely on the basic transport needs of local communities, an examination of Council spending patterns has shown.
In July, the Federal Government released an analysis of the first four months of the Programme.
Projects worth more than $350 million have been lodged by Councils for funding to date. Of these, 44 per cent are for reconstruction, rehabilitation and widening of existing roads. Another 30 per cent is for regravelling, sealing and resealing work and 11 per cent for bridges and drainage work.
The review confirms that Roads to Recovery is meeting the real grassroots needs of local communities, in rural, regional and urban areas.
The Programme is hitting its target and will go a long way towards repairing Australia’s local roads infrastructure. By the end of last financial year 526 councils had received a total of $150 million. This included accelerated payments of $70.8 million to 177 Councils.
Councils that received funding last financial year have to submit an annual report by 30 September.
For further information, please contact the relevant Roads to Recovery State/Territory Manager:
NSW/ACT/SA: (02) 6274 8151
VIC/WA: (02) 6274 7466
QLD/NT/TAS: (02) 6274 6170
