NSW councils collect $89.1 million Financial Assistance Grant payments this quarter

New South Wales councils are set to benefit under the latest round of local government Financial Assistance Grants with $89.1 million of untied funds for community projects.

Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said New South Wales councils can direct the funds to any activities, programmes or services according to the needs of their local community.

“It is important for local councils to be able to independently choose projects that directly address key priorities within their community,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This may be fixing local roads, investing in environmental programmes or funding new infrastructure such as building a new community hall—it’s a decision that is for them to make.

“The Australian Government knows how important this funding is for communities around Australia, which is why the Government is investing $2.3 billion in local councils through the programme in 2015–16.”

This is the third of four instalments councils will receive in 2015–16.

Financial Assistance Grant allocations are determined independently in accordance with the recommendations of the New South Wales Local Government Grants Commission.

Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for NSW councils is in addition to:

• $107 million committed to NSW for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
• $268 million to  NSW through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
• $53 million to NSW through the Black Spot Programme in 2015–16.

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.

Media Contact –  Andrew Blow  0411 403 937