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Coalition Announces $100 Million Local Govt Infrastructure Account Local councils such as Latrobe City Council and Wellington Shire Council will be given greater authority and support to fund priority community projects under a Coalition Government $100 million Local By Russell Northe - 12th November 2010 - Back to News Government Infrastructure Account, said Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe.
Mr Northe said some councils in regional Victoria are struggling because John Brumby had starved them of funding and overburdened them with state government responsibilities.
"The Coalition’s $100 million Local Government Infrastructure Account, funded through the Coalition’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, will supplement – not replace – current government expenditure and provide greater certainty for our local council," Mr Northe said.
"The Local Government Infrastructure Account has the flexibility to support a range of local council initiatives including road projects, bridges, new community assets such as halls and theatres, sporting grounds, grandstands, pools, libraries, and upgrading existing facilities."
Mr Northe said the funding would help to address the infrastructure backlog that had developed after 11 years of Labor government.
"The Local Government Infrastructure Account will be administered so as to give rural and regional councils a clear understanding of the funding they are likely to receive in future years and the flexibility to allocate the money to projects that reflect local priorities," Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe said it would enable Council to effectively plan their future infrastructure investment programs.
"Local councils such as Latrobe City and Wellington will not be forced to chase grants or use resources liaising with government departments regarding grant opportunities."
Mr Northe said much needed infrastructure and projects such as a Morwell to Traralgon bike path and the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail were suffering due to the lack of available funding, which may be rectified through the Local Government Infrastructure Account.
"Council often finds it difficult to find funding for infrastructure for our smaller communities, and I believe the Local Government Infrastructure Account will assist to address this issue.
"Having funding available for specific community needs would assist in alleviating the stress upon local council to fund the various projects without further Government support, such as grants. Projects will be determined via a transparent and accountable process, which is vastly different from the current practice.
"Regional and rural councils are the cornerstone of this state and only the Coalition is willing and able to stand up for local government."
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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