The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed the fourth round of Federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI) funding, which will provide $500 million to councils nationwide for community infrastructure and roads projects.
ALGA President, Linda Scott said the funding will help councils to build and revitalise local roads, playgrounds, community centres, libraries and sporting facilities.
“The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program has been extremely successful, and the direct delivery of funding to councils has ensured the quick and effective delivery of local projects.”
President Scott said making the LRCI program permanent would enable councils to address the growing demand for new and revitalised community and road infrastructure and benefit every community.
However, she said the Association was concerned by the Government’s intention to prioritise $250 million in LRCI funding announced in the October 2022 Budget for regional, rural and outer urban area roads.
“All Australian councils are facing significant road maintenance issues, and ALGA will continue to advocate for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to be available to all local governments.”
“Inner city and metropolitan councils are also facing road and infrastructure maintenance pressures, and ALGA’s 2021 National State of the Assets report showed that $17.8 billion of Australia’s local roads are in poor condition,” said President Scott.
ALGA is seeking a $300 million per year increase in Roads to Recovery funding which it says would support all councils to address the poor state of the national road network.
“Recognising the additional challenges faced by disaster-impacted regional councils, ALGA has also proposed a new $250 million per year fund that would support these councils to build back better,” said President Scott.
Round four funding allocations can be accessed here.
