ALGA applauds passage of Roads to Recovery legislation
16 June 2005
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has warmly welcomed today's passage through the Senate of AusLink legislation, enabling the second phase of the Roads to Recovery program to commence as scheduled on 1 July.
"Australia's 673 councils will be very pleased with the bipartisan support given to the Roads to Recovery legislation," Cr Bell said.
"This is a critically important program for local government. It will provide an additional $1.2bn over the next four years to help councils with the massive task of maintaining the nation's 680,000km of local roads.
Cr Bell particularly thanked the Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, who has strongly supported the need to provide councils with additional federal support. "His vision and leadership continues to be greatly appreciated by local government," Cr Bell said. "We also deeply appreciate the Opposition's commitment to the Roads to Recovery program over the past few years."
"Roads to Recovery is producing very real and tangible results for Australian communities. It is replacing dangerous bridges and upgrading intersections. It is sealing roads and improving traffic flows. It is easing congestion and improving safety.
"It is also boosting economic development, creating employment and improving the lives of countless Australians through 14,000 local government projects from city centres to remote communities.
The passage of the legislation comes just two weeks before ALGA's 6th National Local Roads and Transport Congress, to be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Convention Centre in Launceston on 3-5 July. Congestion, freight and funding will be among the key issues discussed when 500 representatives from councils across Australia meet to help shape local government's transport agenda.
Roads Congress program and further details at: www.alga.asn.au/roadscongress
