Councils nationwide have received $117 million under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Programme to assist with local road construction and maintenance.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said this latest round of quarterly payments are flowing to 297 local government authorities that have undertaken recent Roads to Recovery projects.
“The Australian Government is providing $2.1 billion to local governments under the Roads to Recovery Programme from 2014-15 to 2018-19, which includes a doubled allocation of $350 million for the coming 2015-16 financial year.
“Our Roads to Recovery Programme enables councils across Australia to direct road construction and maintenance funding to where it is needed most, local roads and streets, ensuring that local knowledge delivers for communities.”
The $117 million in Roads to Recovery payments comes on top of:
- $575 million paid to local governments last month through the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grants programme, which is providing $2.3 billion nationwide in 2014-15
- $114 million announced under the first round of the new Bridges Renewal programme, which will provide $300 million over five years to upgrade old bridges in need of works.
Mr Truss said the Australian Government’s priority is to deliver the infrastructure needed for a more prosperous future, starting in local communities.
“Roads to Recovery is a vital partnership between the Australian Government and councils, supporting them with the ongoing maintenance of Australia’s local road infrastructure, facilitating greater community access, improved safety and better economic and social outcomes.
“The Roads to Recovery programme and Financial Assistance Grants are just two of the many ways that we are helping to build the infrastructure future of Australia, from the local level up.”
