Report calls for $1b increase in local government road funding

STRATHBOGIE Shire Council has welcomed a new report which recommends the Federal Government provide Australian councils with an extra $1 billion each year to maintain and upgrade their local roads. The Grattan Institute’s "Potholes and pitfalls: how to fix local roads" calls on the government to increase untied federal funding to councils through financial assistance grants by $600 million per year, and "Roads to Recovery" funding by $400 million per year. The recommendation echoes the Australian Local Government Association’s call for financial assistance grants to be restored to at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue and "Roads to Recovery" funding increased to $800 million per year. The report found federal funding to councils is not keeping up with increases in road construction and maintenance costs. “Flooding has damaged our roads so badly we must look at repairs that are above and beyond our normal maintenance programs,” a Strathbogie Shire Council spokesperson said. “We estimate the damage bill could be as high as $50 million – something that is well outside our ability to fund. “On top of this the October 2022 flood event forced the closure of Kirwans Bridge – a crucial access route to locals and visitors – and the Goulburn River underneath Chinaman’s Bridge is closed because collapse is imminent.” The report also highlights that many regional, rural and remote councils face additional challenges in maintaining their local roads, based on their large geographic size and relatively small ratepayer base. Strathbogie Shire has more than 2210km of roads – 1465km unsealed and 748km sealed. On top of this, there are 521 bridges and culverts to maintain. “The repairs needed on our road network are significant and we will need funding from the state and federal governments," the council spokesperson said. The Federal Government is currently undertaking a review of Australia’s Infrastructure Investment Pipeline, which also includes local government road funding programs.

Report calls for $1b increase in local government road funding

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