Councils across the Leichhardt electorate will be supported as part of the Morrison Government’s $1.8 billion boost for road and community projects through local governments across Australia.
The new program is based on the successful Roads to Recovery program and will enable local councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on upgrades and maintenance to local roads and community infrastructure.
The investment will support local jobs and businesses and boost local economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the package included the establishment of a new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment.
He said accelerating more than $4.6 million worth of local infrastructure projects was important for supporting jobs and the local economies.
“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local communities, now and as we navigate out of the coronavirus pandemic,” Mr Entsch said.
“Not only will this package support jobs, construction businesses and economies across the Leichhardt electorate it will improve our local roads and provide for new and upgraded amenities to help communities stay connected.
“I will be working closely with the councils to make sure projects get under way to support jobs and businesses as soon as possible.”
Mr Entsch said local road projects to be delivered under the program include but are not limited to constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
“A broad range of community infrastructure projects will be eligible including new or upgraded bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, and picnic shelters and barbeque facilities at parks,” he said.
Under the Financial Assistance Grant program the following funding allocations have been made to councils across the Leichhardt electorate this financial year:
Aurukun Council: $53,749
Cairns Regional Council: $1,830,518
Cook Shire Council: $1,278,916
Douglas Shire Council: $274,337
Hope Vale Aboriginal Council: $63,728
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council: $157,431
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council: $80,743
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council: $26,740
Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council: $81,455
NPA Regional Council: $177,442
Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council: $246,944
Torres Shire Council: $156,288
Torres Strait Island Regional Council: $194,288
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council: $9,956
Guidelines for the program will be provided directly to local governments by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci