An allocation of $25.9 million in federal government funding provided under the new Roads to Recovery Program will be distributed to 16 councils across Far North Queensland.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the highly successful Roads to Recovery Program was a collaboration between federal and local governments.
He said the federal government would continue to support Far North Queensland councils with the ongoing maintenance of local road infrastructure, facilitating greater access and improved safety, economic and social outcomes.
“These allocations under the Roads to Recovery Program are great news for Far North Queensland,” Mr Entsch said.
“This funding provides councils with the ability to invest in upgrading local roads, thereby helping to improve safety for all motorists.
“This funding will also lead to economic growth but more importantly job creation in these communities.
“One of the best aspects of this program is local councils, who have the local knowledge, decide which projects should be made a priority.
“The program is particularly important for the more remote communities in Far North Queensland who rely on this funding to build and maintain the infrastructure their communities need.”
Mr Entsch said the federal government was able to extend and increase spending in programs such as Roads to Recovery because it had managed the nation’s finances effectively.
“A stronger economy is the key to delivering better services and delivering the infrastructure our communities need,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the program would provide $2 billion over the next five years to local government bodies across the nation.
“The federal government is investing $400 million each and every year towards this hugely successful program,” Mr McCormack said.
“This means the majority of councils will receive more Roads to Recovery funding in the 2019‑20 to 2023-24 program than their base allocation in 2014-15.”
| Aurukun Shire Council | $214,996 |
| Cairns Regional Council | $7,322,071 |
| Carpentaria Shire Council | $2,847,698 |
| Cook Shire Council | $5,115,662 |
| Douglas Shire Council | $1,097,347 |
| Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council | $254,913 |
| Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council | $629,723 |
| Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council | $322,973 |
| Mapoon Aboriginal Council | $106,959 |
| Mareeba Shire Council | $4,598,660 |
| Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council | $325,820 |
| Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council | $709,769 |
| Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council | $987,774 |
| Torres Shire Council | $625,152 |
| Torres Strait Island Regional Council | $777,151 |
| Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council | $39,825 |
