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Councils in West and South Gippsland will share in $2.1B Commonwealth Cash Boost for flooding and COVID-19 recovery

Five councils in the Monash electorate will benefit from the Australian government's $2.1 billion pre-payment on next year's Financial Assistance Grant to all councils across Australia.

By news@gippsland - 5th April 2022 - Back to News

Federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said this early payment will give every council in Monash access to funds to help manage the cumulative impacts of the floods and COVID-19. "The funding will target councils' top priorities and will ensure the needs of our local communities are met. This will provide a vital boost for our local communities, backing local jobs and economic growth while delivering lasting upgrades that will benefit residents for years to come." Mr Broadbent said.

The Financial Assistance Grant program consists of two components and are untied in the hands of local government, allowing councils to spend the grants according to local priorities

Council to receive payments

Councils in Monash will receive the following payment:

• Bass Coast Shire Council $5,859,213
• Baw Baw Shire Council $8,543,621
• Cardinia Shire Council $9,759,056
• Latrobe City Council $11,337,465
• South Gippsland Shire Council $8,774,804

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Minister for local government Kevin Hogan said pre-paying the Financial Assistance Grant means the government is backing local councils when they need it most.

Support for local governments

Mr Hogan said, "The government is committed to continuing its support to local governments, given their important role in delivering vital services and ensuring quality of life for Australian communities. These grants are untied in the hands of local government, allowing councils to spend the grants according to local priorities - a real shot in the arm for councils and local decision-making in these challenging times."

"I want to acknowledge the hard work of local officials - with support from our government - in dealing with natural disasters and their aftermath at a community level. I have been in regular contact with mayors, councillors and other local government ministers to understand the realities on the ground, and to make sure we are all playing our part." Mr Hogan continued.

Providing support and funding

Mr Hogan also said, "A stable and effective local government sector is good for the nation and we will continue to do what is good for the nation through these crises." Since 1974 - 75, the Australian government will have provided local governments with $64 billion in untied funding through the Financial Assistance Grant program to 2022 - 23.

The Commonwealth has committed $2.8 billion in funding to local government in 2022 - 23, 75 per cent being brought forward to be paid early to local governments for rebuilding after floods and the transition and planning of living with COVID-19. More information is available at the Financial Assistance Grant to Local Government web page.

Pictures from Russell Broadbent MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com