Twenty-three councils across South Australia have shared in more than $16.2 million of grant funding through the Special Local Roads Program.
Local Government Association CEO Clinton Jury said the program is built on councils pooling together a portion of their federal road funding, which is then distributed across the local government sector to deliver more strategic outcomes.
“The Special Local Roads Program is unique to South Australia and essential for providing our state’s councils with vital funding for projects that they otherwise may not have the capacity to finance on their own,” Mr Jury said.
“Through this annual funding round, councils are supported to carry out important upgrades on rural and metropolitan roads across the state, making them safer and better for their communities.
“The LGA is proud to advocate annually on behalf of our member councils to ensure the allocation of program’s funds is directed towards projects where this financial assistance will have the greatest impact.”
Upgrades to roads will range from resealing, resurfacing and reconstruction, to shoulder widening, kerbing, guttering and improved connectivity.
Mr Jury said the successful projects, and the councils involved, would greatly benefit from the funding.
“The financial assistance provided through the Special Local Roads Program can transform key roadways right across South Australia – from improving freight routes and reducing congestion to improving tourist access,” Mr Jury said.
“From the Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast, and everywhere in between, this funding will assist councils to deliver improved infrastructure that will make commuting across our great state safer and easier.”
The Special Local Roads Program has been in place in SA since 1985 and has supported councils to construct and maintain significant and strategic local roads that otherwise would exceed their individual budget capacity.
Funding for the annual competitive program grant round is provided from:
* 15 per cent of identified local roads component of Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants.
* 15 per cent of South Australia’s Supplementary Local Road Funding (in available years).
* 15 per cent of South Australia’s allocation of Roads to Recovery.
The LGA, through its Local Government Transport Advisory Panel, oversees the governance and operations of the program.
This includes considering applications from councils for funding and making recommendations, which flow to the South Australian Local Government Grants Commission and relevant state and federal ministers for approval.
To ensure proposed projects are strategic in nature, regional LGAs and the Metropolitan Strategic Roads Committee are asked each funding year to review and comment on applications proposed by their members.
