Local road maintenance in the New England Electorate will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.
Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government would deliver more than $186.5 million to 366 local government authorities nationwide for safer and better-maintained roads.
“Roads build cities, cities don’t build roads. One of the crucial jobs is the construction of the infrastructure that underpins the growth of the economy that pays the bills for all the services we take as a birthright,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Roads to Recovery funding in the New England will allow councils across the area to progress a number of high-priority projects, using local knowledge to deliver the best local roads.
“The Australian Government is committed to getting Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.”
Councils in the New England will receive the following quarterly payment:
• Armidale Regional Council: $707,658
• Glen Innes Severn Council: $480,103
• Gwydir Shire Council: $250,335
• Inverell Shire Council: $1,107,496
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council: $238,673
• Tamworth Regional Council: $773,077
• Tenterfield Shire Council: $740,978
• Upper Hunter Shire Council: $117,613
• Walcha Council: $388,134
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan said the Australian Government has committed an additional $100 million per year to the Roads to Recovery Program from 2019–20, as part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package announced in the 2019–20 Budget.
“From 2013–14 to 2023–24, the Government will provide $6.2 billion under the Roads to Recovery Program, with an ongoing commitment of $500 million each year following,” Mr Hogan said.
“We are investing in infrastructure nationwide in order to lay the foundations for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Assisting local councils to maintain and improve roads under their jurisdiction is a big part of that, which is why we are also funding a $2.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2021–22 Financial Assistance Grant payment.”
Mr Hogan said Roads to Recovery investments deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout the country.
“The Australian Government supports local governments to provide vital infrastructure and services through a range of programs.
“This support includes Financial Assistance Grants and the Bridges Renewal, Black Spot, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity, Roads to Recovery and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure programs.”
More information on these programs is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au
(ENDS)