With $4.4 billion being made available under the Roads to Recovery program over the next five years, the Australian Government has released a state by state breakdown of where the money will be spent.
Roads to Recovery supports local road construction and maintenance by local government.
“Councils across Australia have consistently asked for more support so that they can better maintain and upgrade their road networks, especially with the severe weather events that have so heavily impacted local infrastructure in recent years,” said Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain.
“We have listened to local councils’ calls for more support and will significantly increase the funding available to them – making it easier for councils to progress priority road projects that their communities are calling out for.”
Where the $4.4 billion will be spent:
- New South Wales councils will receive $1.2 billion over five years, an increase of $461 million.
- Victorian councils will receive $895 million over five years, an increase of $368 million.
- Queensland councils will receive $895 million over five years, an increase of $353 million.
- South Australian councils will receive $395 million over five years, an increase of $153 million.
- Western Australian councils will receive $643 million over five years, an increase of $278 million
- Tasmanian councils will receive $143 million over five years, an increase of $ 60 million.
- Northern Territory councils will receive $128 million over five years, an increase of $55 million.
- The ACT will receive $70 million over five years, an increase of $30 million.
The federal government says the increased funding will allow local governments to plan for the long-term maintenance and upgrades of their road network, with more certainty around budgets.
Roads to Recovery funding for each local government area is determined based on factors such as population and road length. The Australian Government says it has worked closely with councils to ensure funding is distributed where it is needed.
Local councils are now being advised of their increased funding allocation.
The increased funding is part of a series of changes aimed at strengthening investment in local roads across Australia.
The Black Spot Program will also rise from $110 million to $150 million per year, to improve some of the most dangerous road locations.
The new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program has $200 million available per year, $50 million more than was available for the two programs it replaced.
And to improve data collection, a further $21.2 million is being committed to the National Road Safety Data Hub, and $10.8 million for a National Road Safety and awareness campaign.