Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
Regional Australia will have a vital role in building a road to our national economic recovery, Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says.
This message was reinforced with Michael announcing that Forbes Shire Council will receive an extra $1,075,441 under an extension of the well-received Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program as part of the 2020 Budget, bringing the total funding to more than $2.29 million.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said the nation’s economic recovery would be led on a local level through procurement, jobs and supporting small businesses.
“The further investment into the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, to the tune of an additional $1 billion nationwide, will stimulate local economies and create more local jobs,” Michael said.
The now $1.5 billion program will continue to support local jobs and businesses and will boost local economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19 and will enable councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on local road and community infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
Michael explained that, “Local councils understand the immediate needs in their communities which is why this money is so important to support local jobs and local businesses in Forbes and the wider region. This is part of a $110 billion 10-year infrastructure investment which will drive our economic recovery for years to come.”
Supporting councils to improve local roads and community infrastructure will have lasting economic and social benefits for regional communities.
“Projects which could be undertaken under this program could include constructing or improvement of bridges, street lighting and heavy vehicle facilities,” Michael said.