LGAQ CEO Alison Smith (right), pictured signing the Equal Partners in Government Agreement in Brisbane last month, says it is vital parties commit to continuing the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program ahead of the 3 May federal election. Photo: Facebook (Local Government Association of Queensland).
Cape York residents stand to miss out on the equivalent of $150 each in grassroots funding for vital community services and infrastructure unless Canberra agrees to protect the future of a critical council program, according to the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
As politicians and candidates ramp up their campaigns and the rhetoric ahead of the 3 May election, the LGAQ has released electorate-by-electorate amounts for the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) in a bid to convince parties how vital the funding has been.
The LRCIP has provided councils across the state with funds needed to build roads, sporting grounds and other vital community facilities.
Particularly vulnerable are smaller communities, like those across Cape York, where the money has been the difference between having facilities or not in some cases.
In Leichhardt, almost $25.7 million in funding has delivered 46 direct and 144 total jobs through the delivery of projects.
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council Mayor Robert Poi Poi said the continuation of LRCIP funding was crucial to remote local governments providing infrastructure improvements for their communities.
“As a result of this funding program, we’ve constructed shared cycling and pedestrian infrastructure that connects our community of Injinoo to Umagico, and now onward to Bamaga,” he said.
“It provides safe pathways to school and work for our residents, as well as health and fitness opportunities for the community.
“Projects like this show how vital this funding is to councils like ours.”
LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith the numbers proved the case for the return of the LRCIP or an equivalent new program.
“The LRCIP funding allocation provided to Queensland councils is estimated to contribute approximately $668 million to Queensland’s economy over the course of the program in total, including $206.9 million directly,” Ms Smith said.
“[W]hen you look at the funding spread, it is obvious the widespread value a local infrastructure and roads program gives to Queensland councils, communities and ratepayers.”
