Local councils across the nation will soon be sharing in $1 billion in funding to improve their local road networks and deliver priority community infrastructure projects under the third phase of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
Guidelines for the third phase are now online, meaning councils can now start nominating their priority projects for funding to flow to.
Across all three phases, the program is delivering a total of $2.5 billion to local governments, with $1.495 billion already out the door and supporting over 6,100 projects nationwide.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the funding injection would help drive the recovery of regional economies.
"This funding will go directly to local governments to help them deliver some of their priority projects, creating jobs and ensuring funding flows across our regions," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"From sealing rough regional roads and installing safety barriers, to upgrading sporting facilities and installing Wi-Fi networks, this program delivers the local projects that communities need and deserve."
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.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan said the projects and economic benefits delivered through the program help ensure our communities stay safe, strong and vibrant.
"Local councils have been putting in some hard yards supporting their communities through the toughest times of the last few years, so I'm thrilled to be putting even more funding in their hands to help them do that," Assistant Minister Hogan said.
"This program also asks local councils to use local businesses and workforces to deliver their projects where possible and that's exactly what we have been seeing, meaning these funds continue to flow on to hard-working Aussies, their families, and then back into their communities.
"Shovels can hit the ground on projects as soon as work schedules are approved, so I call on all local councils to work with us to get this funding out the door and benefitting their communities as soon as possible by nominating projects now."
