Macarthur councils will share a grants bonanza of more than $16 million in the next 12 months.
Under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program councils across the country will share $2.3 billion. This includes $1.1 billion already paid to councils to ensure they had immediate access to untied funding to support local priorities.
Councils in Macarthur will receive a total of $16,528,800 this financial year. This includes the early payment of $8.3 million.
“The Coalition Government is committed to supporting local government to deliver the services and facilities they need,” says the federal member for Macarthur, Russell Matheson.
“We will deliver $9.45 billion to councils from 2015-16 to 2018-19 through the Financial Assistance Grant program to provide services and build community infrastructure,’’ he said.
“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 $2,044,422 for 2015-16 has been made.”
Campbelltown will get the lion’s share of the funding, $9.9 million, followed by Wollondill Shire $3.4 million and Camden $3.1 million.
Mr Matheson said that councils in Macarthur can also benefit from round two of the government’s new $300 million Bridges Renewal Program which is available exclusively to local government.
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 August 31.
“The government also committed a further $200 million under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, providing councils with funding for important local infrastructure over five years from 2014-15,’’ Mr Matheson said.
“To further reduce crashes on Australian roads, an additional $200 million had been committed by the Government over the next two years under the $500 million Black Spot Program.
“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.”
