Local governments in Maranoa have received their third 2021-22 quarterly payment through the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program with the Barcaldine Regional Council receiving $1,036,777.
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the funding is untied, allowing Barcaldine Regional Council to spend the grant according to their own local priorities.
“Local governments are vital to building safer and stronger communities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“They are an important delivery partner for the Federal Government’s economic stimulus packages and play a critical role in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A total of $2.7 billion in untied Federal funding was allocated for local governments in 2021–22.
Mr Littleproud said that the Federal Government prepaid around half of the allocated funding in June 2021, with the remainder paid through quarterly payments across the year.
“We know the early payment is a valued support to councils, particularly in regions that have faced the combined impacts of bushfire, drought, floods and COVID-19.”
“Across the nation, local governments employ around 194,000 people and deliver a wide range of services in the cities, regional towns and remote areas of Australia. This support will continue to bolster Australia’s economic recovery.”
Since 1974–75, the Australian Government has provided local governments with almost $60 billion in untied funding through the Financial Assistance Grants program.
