Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan said councils in the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers are set to benefit from funding under the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme in 2015-16.
The Federal Government is providing $2.3 billion to councils nationwide in 2015-16. This includes $1.1 billion in Financial Assistance Grants already paid to councils to ensure they had immediate access to untied funding to support local priorities.
Mr Hogan said the five councils in the Northern Rivers and Clarence Valley will receive a total of $28,554,109 this financial year. This includes the early payment of $14,310,158.
“The Coalition Government is committed to supporting local government to deliver the services and facilities they need,” he said.
“Councils are free to spend this untied grant funding according to local priorities, including for infrastructure, health, recreation, environment, employment and roads projects.
“The first quarterly payments have been made.
Councils in Page will receive the following Financial Assistance Grants funding:
| Page | 2015/16 | 1st Quarter | Early Payment |
| Ballina Council | $3,831,347 | $495,884 | $1,847,811 |
| Clarence Valley | $10,146,245 | $1,262,537 | $5,096,097 |
| Kyogle Council | $3,898,162 | $490,395 | $1,936,581 |
| Lismore City | $6,045,261 | $735,660 | $3,102,620 |
| Richmond Valley | $4,633,094 | $576,511 | $2,327,049 |
| Total | $28,554,109 | $3,560,988 | $14,310,158 |
“This is in addition to the Federal Government almost tripling Roads to Recovery funding to more than $26 million over the next two years so our five councils can maintain and improve for our local roads,” Mr Hogan said.
“Councils in the Northern Rivers and Clarence Valley can also benefit from Round Two of the Government’s new $300 million Bridges Renewal Programme which is available exclusively to local government. Up to $100 million will be provided for the repair and replacement of local bridges around Australia to deliver better transport links for their communities and industries.”
Applications for Round 2 close on 31 August.
“The Government also committed a further $200 million under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, providing councils with funding for important local infrastructure over five years from 2014-15,” Mr Hogan said.
“To further reduce crashes on Australian roads, an additional $200 million had been committed by the Government over the next two years under the $500 million Black Spot Programme.
“The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring local councils and the communities they serve get the funding they need to deliver the infrastructure and services of the 21st century.”
Full details of the allocations to councils under the Financial Assistance Grant Programme are available online at regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx
