Local councils in the New England will receive an additional $12.1 million to build shovel-ready projects under the Australian Government’s $1 billion boost for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Extension.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the extension builds on the government’s $11.8 million announced for councils in the New England earlier this year, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this one funding program alone, we are now delivering almost $24 million in combined grants to local councils in the New England for immediate infrastructure projects in the electorate,” Mr Joyce said.
“Of course the Federal Government has a responsibility to balance expenditure with the cost to the economy but it also has a responsibility to local communities and the people within.
“That’s why infrastructure spending like this is so important because it means more money in our towns, more local people in work and a better standard of living for you and your family here in the New England.”
Funding allocations for the LRCI Program are determined by a formula which take into account road length and population. The initial funding of $11.8 million was made available from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. The additional funding is available until 30 December 2021. Councils will be able to access funding under the extension to the LRCI Program from 1 January 2021.
Additional allocations under LRCI extension - construction by 31 Dec 2021:
Armidale Regional Council - $1,762,217 (Total $3,191,918)
Glen Innes Severn Council - $814,810 (Total $1,687,239)
Inverell Shire Council - $1,378,688 (Total $2,780,743)
Liverpool Plains Shire Council - $785,593 (Total $1,652,365)
Tamworth Regional Council - $3,412,360 (Total $6,064,893)
Tenterfield Shire Council - $869,559 (Total $1,913,894)
Upper Hunter Shire Council - $1,193,037 (Total $2,423,471
Uralla Shire Council - $555,440 (Total $1,151,546)
Walcha Council - $476,914 ($1,068,710)
Gwydir Shire Council - $928,863 (Total $2,111,087)
(ENDS)