Roads to Recovery Delivers Another $135 million for Local Government

The final 2014–15 quarterly instalment of the Australian Government’s $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery programme is being paid to 354 local governments across Australia today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said payments totalling more than $135 million under Roads to Recovery will deliver much-needed local road construction and street maintenance.

“Today’s payments bring the amount paid to local governments in 2014–15 under the Roads to Recovery programme to $321.7 million,” Mr Truss said.

“Over the full five years of the programme, local road and street works with receive $2.1 billion under the programme, which is a vital for local councils. And, this coming 2015–16 financial year, councils will each receive a double allocation boosting the programme from $350 million to $700 million.

“Our Roads to Recovery Programme allows councils across Australia to direct road construction and maintenance funding to where it is needed most, ensuring that local needs and knowledge choose the best local roads.

“Today’s Roads to Recovery payments come hot on the heels of our $575 million payment to local governments last week, through the Australian Government Financial Assistance Grants programme, which has provided $2.3 billion nationwide over this financial year.

“Our Financial Assistance Grants allow local governments to prioritise funding according to local needs, with the untied grant funding being used to deliver infrastructure, health, recreation, environment and employment projects across Australia.”

Mr Truss added that last week’s Federal Budget continues the Australian Government’s $50 billion commitment to building the infrastructure for a prosperous future.

“Programmes like Roads to Recovery and the Financial Assistance Grants are important because they enable decisions about local works to be made at the local level,” Mr Truss said.

“Councils are already planning for their double Roads to Recovery payment in the first quarter of the new financial year—doubling the benefits and creating more jobs in local communities across Australia.”

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