FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said councils in the Electorate will receive almost $44 million for local road construction and street repairs in the next four financial years.

 

The funding is part of the delivery of the Australian Government’s $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery programme.

 

“Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss is writing to all councils advising them of their full allocations for the 2014-15 to 2018-19 Roads to Recovery programme,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“This is great news for local councils, residents and businesses.

 

Mr Joyce said in the 2014/15 financial year the 10 local governments in the Electorate will receive $7,331,392.

 

“These funds will make a real difference in building roads, repairing streets and creating better access across our community.

 

“As announced in the 2014 Federal Budget, our Government is doubling Roads to Recovery payments to councils next year (2015-16) to $700 million, which will be a tremendous windfall for much-needed local road works.

 

“Importantly, the Roads to Recovery Programme is set up for councils to make road spending decisions based on local needs – without interference from Canberra – to ensure that funding is truly directed to where it is most needed in the community.

 

“The Australian Government has extended Roads to Recovery for another five years to ensure councils all over Australia receive the funding they need to ensure local roads are safe, our communities are well connected and moving freight in and out of town is efficient.”

 

Mr Joyce said 10 local councils in New England Electorate will be receiving their funding allocations in November.

 

“The Roads to Recovery programme enables councils to prioritise roads funding to invest in the infrastructure which keeps our drivers safe and strengthens economic growth,” he said.

 

“Local councils can lodge their applications in October, which will allow payments under the new Roads to Recovery programme to be made this November.

 

“Labor and The Greens’ unnecessary five-month delay in passing the legislation meant that the August payment was delayed. However, the Government will make up the delayed allocation to councils this financial year.

 

“Local needs should not suffer because of Labor’s political games.

 

The breakdown follows:                                                                  

• Armidale Dumaresq Council will receive $661,713 for this financial year with a total of $3,970,278 over the next three financial years.
• Glen Innes Severn Council will receive $607,024 for this financial year with a total of $3,642,142 over the next three financial years.
• Gunnedah Shire Council will receive $707,146 for this financial year with a total of $4,242,876 over the next three financial years.
• Guyra Shire Council will receive $419,705 for this financial year with a total of $2,518,228 over the next three financial years.
• Inverell Shire Council will receive $910,064 for this financial year with a total of $5,460,383 over the next three financial years.
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council will receive $606,814 for this financial year with a total of $3,640,886 over the next three financial years.
• Tamworth Regional Council will receive $1,841,716 for this financial year with a total of $11,050,294 over the next three financial years.
• Tenterfield Shire Council will receive $740,207 for this financial year with a total of $4,441,240 over the next three financial years.
• Uralla Shire Council will receive $429,783 for this financial year with a total of $2,578,696 over the next three financial years.
• Walcha Shire Council will receive $407,220 for this financial year with a total of $2,443,319  over the next three financial years.