The Western Downs Regional Council has secured $3.4 million through the new Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) to improve roads and community facilities, Maranoa MP David Littleproud said today.
“This $3.4 million LRCIP investment will support local jobs and businesses on the Western Downs and boost local economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19,” Mr Littleproud said.
“One of my top goals as the member for Maranoa is to keep improving our public infrastructure, highways and roads for safety, more efficient movement of goods, so that we are better connected with our community and to boost tourism.
“Under the LRCIP, eligible road projects include constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
“Projects to improve public infrastructure include upgrading bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, picnic shelters and barbeque facilities at parks.
“The LRCIP is based on the successful Roads to Recovery program and will enable local councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on upgrades and maintenance to local roads and community infrastructure.
“I will be working closely with council to make sure projects get under way to support jobs and businesses as soon as possible.”
The Federal Government is delivering a $1.8 billion boost to for road and community projects through local governments across Australia – $500 million through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment.
Guidelines for the Program will be provided directly to local governments by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
More than $25 million is being invested in the program across Maranoa, including:
| Council | Amount |
| Balonne Shire Council | $1,141,450 |
| Barcaldine Regional Council | $1,291,666 |
| Barcoo Shire Council | $710,542 |
| Blackall-Tambo Regional Council | $808,346 |
| Bulloo Shire Council | $848,921 |
| Diamantina Shire Council | $453,393 |
| Goondiwindi Regional Council | $1,139,053 |
| Longreach Regional Council | $1,196,175 |
| Maranoa Regional Council | $2,576,007 |
| Murweh Shire Council | $1,216,089 |
| Paroo Shire Council | $973,400 |
| Quilpie Shire Council | $891,657 |
| South Burnett Regional Council | $1,644,465 |
| Southern Downs Regional Council | $1,577,341 |
| Toowoomba Regional Council | $4,092,300 |
| Western Downs Regional Council | $3,465,660 |
| Winton Shire Council | $1,066,785 |
| Total | $25,093,250 |
Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci.
ENDS
