The Australian Local Government Association has welcomed the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss, to focus the second round of the Bridges Renewal Programme so that it is open only to Local Government.
Minister Truss announced that the second round of the programme offering $100 million of funding would be open for applications between 1 July and 31 August.
Mayor Troy Pickard, President of the Australian Local Government Association, said: “The intention of the Bridges Renewal Programme is to help Local Government address the backlog in maintaining increasingly ageing local community infrastructure, and we are pleased that the second round of the programme reflects this by offering the funds directly to Local Government.
“The funding under this programme will be targeted by councils to upgrading bridges, which play an essential part in sustaining local economies because of the important role they play in connecting freight networks across regions.”
The announcement was made at the National General Assembly of Local Government being held from 15 – 17 June at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.
Media enquiries:
Sharon Akinyi, Director Public Affairs, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) 0418 415 649, sharon.akinyi@alga.asn.au