ALGA congratulates Government on support for $1.1 billion extra funding to Roads to Recovery

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has congratulated the Government for its decision to support the ALP's proposal today to direct the revenue from the first two years of the fuel excise indexation, estimated to be $1.1 billion, towards additional Roads to Recovery funding for Local Government.

The President of ALGA, Mayor Troy Pickard, said: “The Government’s decision to support the provision of $1.1 billion in additional funding to Local Government through the Roads to Recovery program is great news.

“The additional funds will bring the Roads to Recovery program funding to around $1 billion for each of the next two financial years and will help strengthen local economies through projects that will create jobs and improve the productivity and safety of local roads.

“Councils across the country will benefit from the extra funding which will be spent addressing the needs of their local communities. The funding is particularly welcome at a time when councils have had to make tough decisions following the 2014-15 Federal Budget freeze to the indexation of Financial Assistance Grants, which is estimated to cost councils around $925 million in the period to 2017-18.

“The bipartisan support for this initiative is a welcome indication of political support across the board for Local Government, the level of government in our Federation delivering on-the-ground essential services for local communities. Local Government relies on its partnerships with all levels of government to meet the important needs of local communities.

“The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, the Hon Warren Truss MP, has been a strong champion of Local Government for many years and his support for ongoing partnerships with Local Government are greatly appreciated by the sector.”

 

Media enquiries:

Sharon Akinyi, Director Public Affairs, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) 0418 415 649, sharon.akinyi@alga.asn.au