Almost $15 million of a $500m funding pool for roads and community infrastructure like footpaths has been allocated to councils in the New England and North West.
The $3.2 billion federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LCRI) program was initially set up by the former Coalition Government to assist councils during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding allocations from the $500 million in Phase 4 for the LRCI Program are determined by formula and take into account road length and population. The announcement of the allocations means councils can now prepare their applications for their allocation. Councils will be able to access their Phase 4 funding allocations from July 2023, with projects to be delivered by June 2025.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he is pleased to see the details of this critical program confirmed.
“It’s a great result for our communities that these figures have at last been released. This will enable councils to plan their capital works budgets and progress projects that have been on the backburner after months of major flooding.”
“It has been so necessary to maintain strong support for our towns during the ongoing hardships of recent times.”
“The window for delivery from July of this year through to June 2025 will provide plenty of time for significant recovery works to be completed,” he said.
Mr Coulton said that further details are needed for the extra $250 million which was announced in the October budget.
“The Government has stated that the additional $250 million will target road projects in rural, regional and outer urban areas.”
“While any money for our roads is more than welcome after the damage done by recent flooding, the Government needs to be clear about exactly how this funding will be distributed.”
“There’s a big difference between rural and outer urban areas, and I would hope our rural and regional councils receive their fair share since they’ve been hardest hit.”
Have something to say about this story? Submit your own opinion piece, or quick word, to The Net.