Boost in federal funds for Narrabri Shire

Narrabri Shire Council will receive $850,914 from the federal government as part of a second funding allocation in the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

The federal government detailed the funding recipients in the lead up to this week’s budget.

Across the nation, 466 of 550 local government areas will share in $250 million from the second portion of phase four of the fund.

Narrabri Shire received $1.47 million in the first round of the fourth phase.

The fund assists councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects in their region, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for communities.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the government was delivering its election commitment of a further $250 million through phase four to prioritise road upgrades in regional, rural and outer urban areas.

“We know many councils across the country are struggling to maintain and improve their local road networks – especially following repeated flooding and other natural disasters in recent times,” Ms King said.

“We have listened to councils and are standing stand side-by-side with local governments to support them in their vital role in delivering critical infrastructure for their communities.”

Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain said the government had increased both the funding amount and the delivery window for phase four of the LRCI program, because they know that this will support councils to plan for larger or more complex projects that make a bigger impact in their community.

“I’ve met with close to 200 local councils since May last year, and the resounding feedback has been that this extension will enable them to progress their higher-priority projects – and now this work can commence,” Ms McBain said.

“Phase four will build on around 9500 projects supported nationwide through phases one to three of LRCI, and will make a positive impact in communities – particularly those in rural, regional, and remote areas.”

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has welcomed the announcement of another round of funding for councils in the electorate of Parkes through the highly successful Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

Mr Coulton said another $12,255,336 will be allocated to the 18 councils in the electorate.

More than $115,811,000 has been allocated to councils in the Parkes electorate under the previous Coalition government initiated program which provides valuable funding to help councils undertake improvements to locally identified infrastructure.

While welcoming the funding, Mr Coulton said it is imperative that guidelines attached to the funding be announced immediately.

“Without knowing what they will or won’t be able to do with this money it is very difficult for councils to plan their capital works projects, so these details matter.

“It’s been very frustrating for councils across my electorate to have to wait so long before they can even begin to plan their own budgets and it is unclear why there has been this level of delay. I have called on Labor to release the funding allocations in full for the LRCI program; I now call on them to release the guidelines so that councils can get on with putting this money to use and planning their priority projects.”

Mr Coulton said that he would also like to see the Labor government commit to the ongoing continuation of the LRCI program beyond phase four.

“This program was initially created by the Coalition government to assist councils during the COVID-19 pandemic and has maintained its relevance in supporting local governments during natural disasters over recent years.

“Our communities benefit directly from this funding, with councils being the level of government which is closest to the people they serve.”