By Jeremy Sollars
The Southern Downs Regional Council has “secured more than $1.5 million through the Federal Government’s ‘Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program’ to improve roads and community facilities”, Maranoa MP David Littleproud has announced.
It’s not all ‘new’ money – the federal funding for councils across Queensland includes a ‘brought-forward’ component of the annual Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) which Canberra provides to councils, with the advance payments prompted by COVID-19.
“This $1.5 million LRCIP investment will support local jobs and businesses on the Southern Downs and boost local economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19,” Mr Littleproud said in announcing the funding last Friday.
“Under the LRCIP, eligible road projects include constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
“Projects to improve public infrastructure include upgrading bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, picnic shelters and barbeque facilities at parks.
“The LRCIP is based on the successful Roads to Recovery program and will enable local councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on upgrades and maintenance to local roads and community infrastructure.
Mr Littleproud said the Federal Government “is delivering a $1.8 billion boost to for road and community projects through local governments across Australia – $500 million through the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment”.
“Guidelines for the Program will be provided directly to local governments by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications,” Mr Littleproud said.
Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci.
