FUNDING under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Programme has today been distributed to eight councils in the electorate of Leichhardt, to assist with local road construction and maintenance.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the 2016 Budget extended the Roads to Recovery Programme, and provided an additional $50 million per annum from 2019-20 onwards, bringing the annual commitment to $400 million.
“This is the Australian Government making good on election promises by continuing to support programmes that deliver funding exactly where it’s needed based on local knowledge,” Mr Chester said.
“The Australian Government will distribute $3.2 billion to councils nationwide between 2014–15 and 2018–19 under the Roads to Recovery Programme to support maintenance of the nation’s local road network and improve road safety.
“Local Government Areas nationwide will today receive a share of over $100 million in Australian Government funding, including around $1.77 million in Leichhardt.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the Roads to Recovery payments included:
- $653,130 for Cairns Regional Council
- $410,000 for Cook Shire Council
- $330,000 for Douglas Shire Council
- $153,673 for Torres Shire Council
- $137,538 for Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council
- $89,092 for Aurukun Council
“Councils use Roads to Recovery funding to upgrade roads chosen by council, ensuring that local knowledge selects the best local road projects,” Mr Entsch said.
“Councils across the country have so far used Roads to Recovery funding to repair and upgrade more than 53,500 road sites.”
Through the Roads to Recovery Programme, the Australian Government supports councils with the ongoing maintenance of Australia’s local road infrastructure, facilitating greater access and improved safety, economic and social outcomes.
More information on the programme is available online at www.infrastructure.gov.au.
