Councils across the New England have received an extra $11.8 million in Federal Government funding to develop safer roads in the region under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program (R2R).
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the funding is part of the additional $138.9 million allocated to drought-affected communities through the R2R program, and forms part of the Australian Government’s recently announced drought response package.
Additional R2R funding:
- Armidale Regional Council: $1,429,701
- Glen Innes Severn Council: $872,429
- lnverell Shire Council: $1,402,055
- Liverpool Plains Shire Council: $866,772
- Tamworth Regional Council: $2,652,533
- Tenterfield Shire Council: $1,044,335
- Upper Hunter Shire Council: $1,230,434
- Uralla Shire Council: $596,106
- Walcha Council: $591,796
- Gwydir Shire Council: $1,182,224
Mr Joyce said this funding investment will have a two-fold benefit.
“Not only will every council in the New England be able to draw on extra funds to improve local roads but our towns and villages in drought will also benefit from the new money being spent in their communities and the extra work it will provide,” Mr Joyce said.
The additional funding matches the allocation already made to councils for the 2019-2020 financial year, and will be made available from January 2020. Total Roads to Recovery funding for New England councils from 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 is now valued at $71.2 million.
Funding has been allocated to the 128 local government areas with the aim of stimulating local economic activity through road infrastructure projects. Those councils are also receiving support under the federal Drought Communities Program.
“This extra roads funding is designed to stimulate local economic activity and improve local infrastructure by making our roads better and safer for country people,” Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Andrew Gee said.
(ENDS)