JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Local road maintenance in the Hunter will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.
Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey, said Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie were set to benefit to the tune of almost $1.4 million between them in the latest quarterly payments under the program.
“The Roads to Recovery funding in the Hunter will allow councils across the area to progress a number of high-priority projects, using local knowledge to deliver the best local roads,” Senator Davey said.
“This forms part of our Government’s unwavering commitment to get Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.”
“Through this program the Australian Government is providing over $131.8 million to 324 local government authorities nationwide to deliver safer and better-maintained roads.”
Assistant Minister for Local Government, Kevin Hogan said the Australian Government has committed an additional $100 million per year to the Roads to Recovery Program from 2019–20, as part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package announced in the 2019–20 Budget.
“From 2013–14 to 2023–24, the Government will provide $6.2 billion under the Roads to Recovery Program, with an ongoing commitment of $500 million each year following,” Mr Hogan said.
“We are investing in infrastructure nationwide to drive Australia’s world-leading economic recovery from COVID-19.
“Assisting local councils to maintain and improve roads under their jurisdiction is a big part of that, which is why we have made a $2.5 billion commitment through the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and earlier this year brought forward $1.3 billion of the 2021–22 Financial Assistance Grant payment.”
Mr Hogan said Roads to Recovery investments deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout the country.
“The Australian Government supports local governments to provide vital infrastructure and services through a range of programs,” Mr Hogan said.
“This support includes the Financial Assistance Grant and Bridges Renewal, Black Spot, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity, Roads to Recovery and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure programs.”
More information on these programs is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au.
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