Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, said councils in the Ballarat electorate will soon receive more than $3 million for local road construction and street repairs as part of the $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery program.
“The Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development and Nationals Leader, Warren Truss, is writing to all councils advising them of their share of Roads to Recovery funding for this financial year, and over the 2014-15 to 2018-19 period of the program,” she said.
“This is great news for local councils, residents and businesses. These funds will make a real difference in building roads, repairing streets, creating better access across communities, and strengthen economic growth.
“As announced in the 2014 Federal Budget, the Abbott-Truss government is doubling Roads to Recovery payments to councils next year, 2015-16, to $700 million which will be a tremendous windfall for much-needed local road works.
“The Roads to Recovery Program is set up for councils to make road spending decisions based on local needs, without interference from Canberra, to ensure funding is truly directed to where it is most needed in the community.”
Senator McKenzie said the government has extended Roads to Recovery for another five years so that councils receive the funding they need to keep local roads safe, ensure communities are well connected, and freight movement is more efficient.
Senator McKenzie said councils in Ballarat will be receiving their funding allocations in November. The breakdown follows:
COUNCIL ($) 14-15 to 18-19 allocation ($) 14-15 Annual allocation
City of Ballarat 6,310,565 1,051,761
Golden Plains Shire Council 5,701,261 950,210
Hepburn Shire Council 4,194,230 699,038
Moorabool Shire Council 5,271,283 878,547
“Local councils can lodge their applications in October, which will allow payments under the new Roads to Recovery program to be made this November,” she said.
“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 to ensure they are not out of pocket. Local needs should not suffer because of Labor’s political games.”
Senator McKenzie added local councils and their communities will also benefit from the expanded $565 million Black Spot and $248 million Heavy Vehicle programs and the new $300 million Bridges Renewal program and $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund.