August 21, 2015
Local councils in Gippsland are set to start receiving their first funding allocations under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme for the 2015-16 financial year.
The Australian Government is providing $2.3 billion to local governments nationwide in 2015-16. This includes $1.1 billion in Financial Assistance Grants already paid to councils to ensure they had immediate access to untied funding to support local priorities.
Councils in Gippsland will receive a total of $37,189,729 this financial year. This includes the early payment of $18,649,643. Half of the total has been allocated in the first quarterly payment, while the remaining half will be paid in four quarterly payments.
“The Coalition Government is committed to supporting local government to deliver the services and facilities they need,” Mr Chester said.
“We will deliver $9.45 billion to Local Governments from 2015-16 to 2018-19 through the Financial Assistance Grant programme to provide services and build community infrastructure.
“Councils are free to spend this untied grant funding according to local priorities, including for infrastructure, health, recreation, environment, employment and roads projects.
“The first quarterly payment of $4,635,022 for 2015-16 has been made.”
Councils in Gippsland will receive the following Financial Assistance Grants funding:
State/Electorate Total
2015-16 including, amount brought forward ($) Qtr 1 ($)
Gippsland 37,189,729 4,635,022
East Gippsland Shire Council 13,746,856 1,715,320
Latrobe City Council* 11,417,970 1,431,625
Wellington Shire Council 12,024,903 1,488,077
*Crosses both McMillan and Gippsland electorates.
“Councils in Gippsland can also benefit from Round Two of the Government’s new $300 million Bridges Renewal Programme which is available exclusively to local government,” Mr Chester said.
“Up to $100 million will be provided for the repair and replacement of local bridges around Australia to deliver better transport links for their communities and industries.”
Applications for Round 2 close on 31 August.
The Coalition Government also committed a further $200 million under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, providing councils with funding for important local infrastructure over five years from 2014-15.
This included $1.6 million on driver safety projects near Bruthen and Mount Drummer, east of Orbost.
“To further reduce crashes on Australian roads, an additional $200 million has been committed by the Government over the next two years under the $500 million Black Spot Programme,” Mr Chester said.
“The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring local councils and the communities they serve get the funding they need to deliver the infrastructure and services of the 21st century.”
Full details of the allocations to councils under the Financial Assistance Grant Programme are available online at regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx