A $1 billion dollar boost to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program over two years in the federal budget has been welcomed by local government in Queensland generally, and the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils in particular.
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The alliance was pleased to note that the budget included investment that aligned with the agreed key priority areas for the 21-member council region, with a long overdue investment in critical water infrastructure being another standout feature.
There is $2 billion in funding for projects through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, which a WQAC statement said was "a very welcome investment for truly the most important ingredient for our regions to thrive and generate wealth for the nation".
It urged the federal government to look to western Queensland to deliver for the nation at this critical time.
"Western Queensland stands ready to ensure our communities can play our part in budget restoration and continue to deliver and grow the $9.5 billion we inject into the economy each year," it said, adding that the wider region had been fortunate to remain COVID-19 free, enabling key industries to continue providing local jobs and meet demand for agricultural and mineral product.
The recognition in the budget of the critical role that councils can play in economic recovery through funding measures was acknowledged by Local Government Association of Queensland president Mark Jamieson.
"The $1 billion dollar boost to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program over two years will ensure the pipeline of works currently underway in local communities across Queensland can continue, supporting and creating jobs and helping to sustain local supply chains," Cr Jamieson said.
Queensland councils are expected to share in more than $200 million in extra funding over two years under this program, in addition to the more than $101 million in LRCIP funding they received when the program was first announced in May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cr Jamieson said councils would also benefit from funding through programs like Roads to Recovery, Bridges Renewal, Building Better Regions, Regional Recovery Partnerships, the Regional Connectivity program and the Transforming Australia's Waste and Recycling Industry initiative.
"Local government can also access funding under a $1.2 billion Commonwealth program designed to fund 100,000 new apprentices," he said.
"Queensland councils are able to offer training across more than 240 occupational areas.
"Programs like the Commonwealth's Drought Communities Program Extension have proven that councils are best placed to ensure stimulus funding is delivered where it is needed most in their communities in order to deliver the best outcome for local economies."
However, Queensland councils remained disappointed with the lack of a significant increase to Financial Assistance Grants, and the LGAQ will continue to advocate for the return of FAGS funding to 1 per cent of total taxation revenue.
Items of note in the budget that align with key priority areas for WQAC and its member organisation of councils - the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, the Remote Area Planning and Development Board in the central west, and the South West Regional Organisation of Councils - include:
- The investment $1 billion for local governments for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
- An additional $200 million in grants to extend the successful Building Better Regions Fund for a fifth round.
- $2 billion in funding for projects through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
- A $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative to assist businesses in regions heavily reliant on international tourism
- An additional $30.3 million in funding for the Regional Connectivity Program to improve connectivity in regional and remote Australia.
- $41.0 million for a Research and Development Program to continue the government's regional decentralisation agenda, by funding research and development activities that will benefit regional industries.
- An additional $28.1 million to extend the Stronger Communities Programme, which provides grants of between $2500 and $20,000 across the country to community organisations and local governments for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
