$9 million to round out federal financial assistance to Tasmanian councils

Local councils across Tasmania will benefit from the final instalment of funding for 2015–16 under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme.

Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said councils in the state would share in $9 million of untied funding, allowing local government to spend the funds according to local priorities.

“The Australian Government understands that local knowledge is crucial in determining what community infrastructure is most deserving of federal funding,” Mr Fletcher said.

“For some councils, these grants can amount to more than half of total revenue, meaning they are an extremely important means for local governments right around Australia to invest in infrastructure such as local roads, aquatic centres, libraries or community halls, or services such as community or environmental programmes.

“Nationally, the Australian Government is investing $2.3 billion under the Financial Assistance Grant programme in 2015–16, including the $1.1 billion that was paid early to states and territories on 30 June last year.”

Mr Fletcher said the Grants Commissions in each state and Northern Territory recommend the funding to each council in accordance with the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995, ensuring an independent and transparent allocation process.

More information about the Financial Assistance Grant programme, including funding being made to individual councils across Australia, is online at: www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance.