TRC secures $millions

25th May 2022

TAMWORTH LGA SECURES $5.3 MILLION IN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING

The Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $5,305,066 in priority projects across the Tamworth Regional Council Area to support local jobs, businesses and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member for New England and Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce said the projects are made possible through the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

Mr Joyce said, the allocations further demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to local government areas, such as Tamworth.

“The Australian Government’s $500 million extension to Phase 3 of the LRCI Program, takes the total program commitment to $3 billion,” Mr Joyce said.

Thirty-two projects are being delivered to the Tamworth Local Government Area with all but four being funded fully through Phase 3 of the LRCI Program.

Centres to benefit include Tamworth City, Kootingal, Moonbi, Libri, Moore Creek, Somerton, Bendemeer and Manilla.

Projects include:

$1.53 million to upgrade the Kootingal Multi-Purpose Centre

$500,000 to upgrade Viaduct Park with a modern, shaded playground including all ability elements

$500,000 for significant tree plantings throughout the Tamworth CBD

$360,000 to complete the shared path linking Piper Street to the Victoria Park precinct

$330,000 to upgrade the Tamworth Regional Playground’s soft fall areas

Mr Joyce said with the challenges presented by COVID-19, bushfires, floods and other events, the past couple of years have been tough for communities, businesses and local councils.

“That’s why we have moved quickly to approve funding for priority projects across the New England electorate, paving the way for shovels to hit the dirt to make them a reality.

“This funding will provide a vital boost for our local communities, backing local jobs and economic growth while delivering lasting upgrades that will benefit residents for years to come.”

Tamworth Regional Council Mayor, Russell Webb, said he was thrilled to have 32 new community projects funded and ready to be built around the Tamworth Region over the next 12 months.

Councillor Webb said, “Our region has already benefitted from over $6 million in funding through this program, which has allowed for the construction of some fantastic infrastructure projects.

These include a new observatory and planetarium at the Tamworth Regional Astronomy and Science Centre and a new café and sports infrastructure in Viaduct Park.”

Councillor Webb said, “The funding is also providing for construction of Tamworth’s Changing Places Facility and Accessible Transport Hub, footpaths and public toilets around the region, and much more.”

Mr Joyce said the newly increased funding of $500 million for the extension to Phase 3 will flow through the LRCI Program to local councils across Australia to improve their local road networks and deliver priority community infrastructure projects.

“This builds on the $1.7 billion already approved to deliver more than 7,400 projects nationwide under the first three phases of the program,” Mr Joyce said.

“This program is having a significant impact across the country, with more than 6,400 projects already complete or under construction – delivering upgrades to local roads, bike paths, community halls, playgrounds, parks and sports facilities, as well as improved accessibility to public facilities.

The $500 million Phase 3 Extension will build on this, delivering more jobs, more economic stimulus, and more of the local priority projects that communities need and deserve.”

Assistant Minister for Local Government, Kevin Hogan said the program forms part of the Liberal and Nationals unwavering commitment to back local councils and their communities through COVID-19 and secure a stronger future out the other side of the pandemic.

“We want to deliver the best outcomes for locals under this program, which is why we have listened and acted on council feedback, providing a longer delivery window for local governments to pursue larger, more complex projects that may be a higher priority and have a bigger impact on the community,” Assistant Minister Hogan said.

“We also get councils to use local businesses and workforces to deliver these projects as much as possible, ensuring this stimulus flows directly into the hands of hard-working Aussies, their families, their businesses and their communities.

I look forward to seeing more projects get underway and supporting jobs and communities at this critical time,” Mr Hogan said.

For more information on the $3 billion LRCI Program, including the allocations for the $500 million Phase 3 Extension, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/local-roads-and-community-infrastructure/.