The Tasmanian Government welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement today of a $1.8 billion funding boost for local governments across Australia to invest in road and community projects.
The package includes $500 million for the new Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program with Tasmania set to receive $16 million under this program. Tasmania will also receive $40 million from the bringing forward of $1.3 billion under the 2020-21 Federal Financial Assistance Grants payment to assist councils and local communities in responding to the effects of COVID-19.
The new Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program will allow local councils to support jobs and businesses by delivering projects within the next 12 months such as roads, bridges, bicycle and walking paths, street lighting, picnic and barbeque shelters and skate parks.
Today’s announcement complements the Tasmanian Government’s $150 million No Interest Loan Scheme, which opened in April to enable councils to develop or upgrade local government infrastructure and to manage impacts of Covid-19.
Our councils have a critical role in responding to the impacts of COVID-19, and we thank them for their efforts to support the Tasmanian community during these challenging times.
Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci.