New guidelines on Auslink regional road funds
March 3, 2006
The Australian Local Government Association today welcomed the release of new funding guidelines for regional roads projects. The guidelines were released in Canberra today by Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd and Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss.
ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, said the Australian Government has provided $127m under the AusLink strategic regional program for new land transport projects, which would be available to councils commencing in 2006/07.
"Mr Lloyd has today invited submissions for funding from councils and released the guidelines and administrative arrangements that will support the program," Cr Bell said. Submissions close on 1 May. "Local government has worked closely with the Australian Government to ensure an open and merit-based process to determine those projects that would be funded under the program.
"Local government greatly appreciates additional funding provided by the Australian Government for this important program. An additional $100m was announced by the Australian Government at the National General Assembly of Local Government held in Canberra in November.
"We also are pleased that the Minister has delivered to us a process that encourages councils to work together to submit projects with a genuinely regional focus, and that encourages contributions from industry stakeholders.
"We appreciate the work the Minister has done to provide a fair and open process that will see projects succeed on their merits," Cr Bell said.
Cr Bell noted that each local council will receive an information pack in the next few days.
"Local government has a good opportunity under this program to put forward projects that benefit not only their own local communities but that also benefit communities and their industries in their regions," Cr Bell said Local government is responsible for 680,000km of roads, representing almost 85 per cent of the nation's road network.
- Contact
- Cr Paul Bell AM, ALGA President - 0418 791 596
- Rohan Greenland, ALGA Public Affairs - 0412 85 9434 / 02 6122 9434
