Community infrastructure program promise

AN elected Dutton Liberal Government will invest $1 billion to empower local councils across Australia, giving them the flexibility to prioritise and deliver critical community infrastructure and road projects tailored to their communities’ needs.

The revitalised Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program will strengthen communities, enhance resilience, and improve local roads. It will be delivered through two dedicated funding streams, each worth $500 million:

• Resilience and Community Infrastructure Stream – open to all councils, this stream will help strengthen communities against natural disasters and fund essential infrastructure to support local growth.

• Roads Stream – targeted to regional councils to fix potholes, maintain and improve local roads.

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the program would put decision-making in the hands of local councils, ensuring funding is directed to where it’s needed most.

“The initial Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program implemented by the former Coalition Government was incredibly well received amongst local government and local communities alike because it responded to expressed local needs rather than ‘top down’ priorities and strategies of the Federal Government.

“The Coalition is committed to working with local governments, because we know the best outcomes are achieved when decisions are made at the community level.”

Mr Pasin said the additional funding for local regional roads is particularly important.

“Over 75 per cent of Australia’s road network is maintained by local government. Supporting local councils with additional funding for roads is critical to maintain and improve our local road network and importantly to improve road safety,” Mr Pasin said.

“Our plan will support local councils, create jobs, and strengthen communities—without increasing costs for ratepayers.

“This investment will help ease cost-of-living pressures by assisting councils to upgrade roads and community facilities without shifting the financial burden onto ratepayers.”

This investment to fix roads and upgrade local infrastructure is part of our plan to build a stronger Australia.

Previous funding delivered through the LRCI program has seen projects across Barker completed such as: Meningie Skate Park ($200,000), Naracoorte Swimming Lake Pontoon ($30,000), Penola Coonawarra Rail Trail ($736,052), Donovans Community Centre ($100,000), Sealing of Access Road ($20,000, Kingston SE).