Local governments across Capricornia will soon get their share of $1 billion flowing to councils nationwide to improve their local road networks and deliver priority community infrastructure projects.
Made possible under the third phase of the Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, guidelines for the funding are now online, meaning councils can now start nominating their priority projects.
Councils in Capricornia will receive the following allocations under the program’s third phase:
• $3,092,778 for Isaac Regional Council
• $1,812,954 for Livingstone Shire Council
• $3,913,180 for Mackay Regional Council
• $2,966,910 for Rockhampton Regional Council
• $2,101,074 for Whitsunday Regional Council
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry said in total, Capricornia would benefit from $13,886,896.
“This is fantastic news for communities, and I am excited to announce our local governments can now nominate priority projects for funding, to take them off the wish list and into reality,” Ms Landry said.
“This funding will go directly to local governments to deliver some of their priority projects, which will create local jobs and get funding flowing across our regions.
“It will also mean communities will benefit from key community infrastructure projects, and lasting safety and access improvements on our roads, that will have a real impact on the day-to-day lives of residents.
“From sealing rough regional roads and installing safety barriers to upgrading sporting facilities and installing Wi-Fi networks, this program has already been making local projects that communities need and deserve a reality and I look forward to seeing more get underway thanks to this third phase.”
Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council, Tony Williams said the funding from the LRCI program will be a welcome boost for communities recovering from COVID.
“Everyone has felt the impacts from COVID and it’s programs like this that help councils like ours to continue supporting local jobs and businesses during a time that they need it the most,” Mayor Williams said.
“Thanks to the LRCI program our council has been able to pursue projects that we would otherwise not have been able to.
“Not only that, but this third round of increased funding will mean councils like ours will have the opportunity to delivery larger, more complex projects that will have even bigger impact on local communities.”
Councils can nominate a broad range of local road projects for funding under the program, such as traffic signs, street lighting, bridges, tunnels, rest areas or even road and sidewalk improvements.
Community infrastructure projects can include upgrading park and play facilities, installing Wi-Fi networks or safety-boosting closed-circuit TV, or improving bike and walking paths.
For more information on the $2.5 billion LRCI Program, including the guidelines and allocations for the $1 billion third phase, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/local-roads-and-community-infrastructure/.
