Local councils in Ballarat and region will be eligible for a total of a further $1.682 from the Federal Labor Government to help build and renew community infrastructure.
This comes on top of funding of $19.387 million already provided for such purposes under the Regional Development Australia Fund ($5.384 million) and the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program ($14.003 million).
Federal Member for Ballarat and Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories, Catherine King, said the funding will be delivered through Round Five of the Regional Development Australia Fund and the Liveable Cities Program.
“This is all part of our plan for jobs and growth in regional and local communities,” Ms King said.
“This boost for ‘shovel-ready’ projects will allow our councils and shires to generate new economic activity in their local communities while delivering infrastructure now and for the future.”
Councils will share this funding based on the current distribution of the Financial Assistance Grants. The Government has also put in place an additional protection for smaller councils by ensuring a base payment of at least $30,000.
Funding approved for allocation to Ballarat and region councils is: Ballarat City ($891,005); Hepburn Shire ($275,197); Golden Plains Shire ($317,337); Moorabool Shire ($379,314).
Ms King said around 70 per cent, or $105 million, of the total national funding will be directed to rural and regional councils.
The funding can only be used to build and renew community infrastructure and local councils and shires will need to outline the projects they intend to put this funding towards.
“Our local sporting facilities, libraries, town halls, playgrounds and essential community services such as child care facilities can benefit from this investment in communities across Ballarat and region,” Ms King said.
“The investment will help bring and secure more jobs and boost our local communities.
“Importantly, it is on top of $2 billion we provide annually to local government through Financial Assistance Grants, the $350 million annually for local roads through the Roads to Recovery program and the $1 billion we’ve provided since 2007 for community infrastructure projects around the country through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.”
Guidelines for this funding round will be up on the Department of Regional Australia website this Friday.