Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said councils can direct the funds to any activities, programmes or services according to the needs of their local community.
“It is important for local councils to be able to independently choose projects that directly address key priorities within their community,” Mr Fletcher said.
“This may be fixing local roads, investing in environmental programmes or funding new infrastructure such as building a new community hall—it's a decision that is for them to make.
“The Australian Government knows how important this funding is for communities around Australia, which is why the Government is investing $2.3 billion in local councils through the programme in 2015–16.”
This is the third of four installments councils will receive in 2015–16. Each Financial Assistance Grant allocations are determined independently in accordance with the recommendations of the State's Local Government Grants Commission.
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for NSW councils is in addition to:
- $107 million committed to NSW for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $268 million to NSW through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $53 million to NSW through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for NT councils is in addition to:
- $29.9 million to NT through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $3 million to NT through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
Queensland Councils - $56.4 million
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for Queensland councils is in addition to:
- $63 million committed to Queensland for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $210 million to Queensland through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $33 million to Queensland through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for SA councils is in addition to:
- $32 million committed to SA for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $91 million to SA through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $16 million to SA through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
Tasmania Councils - $9.0 million
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for Tasmanian councils is in addition to:
- $760,000 committed to Tasmania for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $106 million committed to supporting growth and employment through the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Package;
- $32.7 million to Tasmania through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $4.3 million to Tasmania through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
Victoria Councils - $67.4 million
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for Victorian councils is in addition to:
- $52 million committed to Victoria for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $204 million to Victoria through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $39 million to Victoria through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
ACT Government- $6.1 million
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for the ACT Government is in addition to:
- $14.6 million to the ACT through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $2.7 million to the ACT through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for WA councils is in addition to:
- $37 million committed to WA for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $150 million to WA through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $19 million to WA through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.
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