Latrobe City, East Gippsland Shire and Wellington Shire councils are now sharing $20.3 million in grants from the Federal Government.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the payments were made to the three councils on June 20 under the Financial Assistance Grants program.
“Latrobe City has received more than $6.2 million, Wellington Shire was allocated more than $6.5 million and East Gippsland more than $7.5 million,” Mr Chester said.
“That’s more than $20 million to be invested into our communities for local people.
“This is funding that the councils can allocate to infrastructure projects or services, according to their local needs.
“For one council that might mean getting started on a road project. For another, it might be constructing a new recreational facility, or responding to the changing health needs of its community.”
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said the government had made an early payment of 50 per cent of the 2018-19 Financial Assistance Grant funding.
“This early cash injection of more than $1.2 billion will allow councils to start work straight away on new projects and to benefit from additional interest on cash in the bank,” Dr McVeigh said.
Dr McVeigh said supporting local councils to provide essential services to Australians was a key priority for the Coalition Government.
“We recognise the importance of giving councils the power to determine local priorities in their region,” Dr McVeigh said. “Under the Financial Assistance Grants program, Australia’s 546 councils have access to untied funds to allow them to spend the money according to local needs.
“The Coalition Government also supports local councils through a range of other targeted funding programs including Roads to Recovery, Bridges Renewal, the Building Better Regions Fund and Regional Growth Fund.”
