Tasmanian councils collect $9.0 million Financial Assistance Grant payments this quarter
Tasmanian councils are set to benefit under the latest round of local government Financial Assistance Grants with $9.0 million of untied funds for community projects.
Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said Tasmanian 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 Tasmanian State Grants Commission.
Funding provided under the Financial Assistance Grant programme for Tasmanian councils is in addition to:
- $760,000 committed to Tasmania for priority infrastructure through the National Stronger Regions Fund Round 2 announcement at the end of last year;
- $106 million committed to supporting growth and employment through the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Package;
- $32.7 million to Tasmania through the Roads to Recovery Programme in 2015–16; and
- $4.3 million to Tasmania 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
