Gippsland › Latest news › Russell Broadbent MP

Federal assistance of $7 million paid to Gippsland local governments for first quarter 2021-22

Local governments in Monash have received their first 2021-22 quarterly payment through the Federal Government's Financial Assistance Grant program.

By news@gippsland - 2nd September 2021 - Back to News

Federal Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent said the funding is untied, allowing councils to spend the grant according to their own local priorities. "Local governments are vital to building safer and stronger communities."

Funding may be used to maintain and upgrade public land facilities that support local trade, future tourism and restoration of the natural environment

Government's economic stimulus

Mr Broadbent said, "They are an important delivery partner for the Federal Government's economic stimulus packages and play a critical role in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic." Councils in Monash will receive the following quarterly payment:

• Bass Coast Shire Council $953,537
• Baw Baw Shire Council $1,389,874
• Cardinia Shire Council $1,588,058
• Latrobe City Council $1,845,294
• South Gippsland Shire Council $1,426,809

Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan said a total of $2.7 billion in united Federal funding was allocated for local governments in 2021 - 22. "The Federal Government prepaid around half of the allocated funding in June 2021, the remainder will be paid through these quarterly payments across the year," Mr Hogan said.

Wide range of services in the cities

Mr Hogan also said, "We know the early payment is a valued support to councils, particularly in regions that have faced the combined impacts of bushfire, drought, floods and COVID-19."

"Across the nation, local governments employ around 194,000 people and deliver a wide range of services in the cities, regional towns and remote areas of Australia. This support will continue to bolster Australia's economic recovery."

Since 1974 - 75, the Australian Government has provided local governments with almost $60 billion in united funding through the Financial Assistance Grants program. For more information, visit the Financial Assistance Grant to Local Government.

Pictures from Invest Gippsland Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com