Hilltops Council receives infrastructure funding boost

Hilltops Council will receive a $1,770,968 boost in infrastructure funding from the Federal Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure (LCRI) Program.

The funding has a focus on local road and community infrastructure upgrades and maintenance and will allow the Council to deliver priority projects.

Hilltops Mayor Councillor Brian Ingram described the funding boost as very pleasing and welcomed news. “We have a number of priority projects that this funding will enable us to start,” Cr Ingram said.

“Thank you to the Federal Government for their initiative and support of Local Government during this difficult and unprecedented time. There is no doubt that kickstarting local infrastructure projects will stimulate the economy and play a major part in getting regional communities back on their feet.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, said supporting councils to improve local roads and community infrastructure would have lasting economic and social benefits for communities, particularly those in the regions. “This package will improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks, which will get Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live,” Mr McCormack said.

“Providing support for social infrastructure projects such as new or upgraded bicycle and walking paths, community halls, picnic shelters and barbecue facilities at parks, will help communities, especially those in regional and remote areas, stay connected. Local Government is at the forefront of service delivery. Our councils know their communities best and are generally able to deploy workforces quickly which keeps money flowing through their local area.”

Further examples of projects the funding could support are constructing or improving bridges, street lighting and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas or weigh stations.

The boost to spending is 20% of the Local Government Area’s Roads to Recovery funding over the 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 five year period. Hilltops Council’s Roads to Recovery funding five year allocation is $8,854,838.

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• Grant / Funding