Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minster

Minister for Defence

Member for Corio

Libby Coker MP

Member for Corangamite

MEDIA RELEASE

The Albanese Government is delivering on our election commitment to provide an extra $250 million dollars for road projects in rural, regional and outer-urban areas under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Member for Corio, Richard Marles, and Corangamite, Libby Coker, today announced that a number of local councils will benefit from this funding boost to support local road projects.

• City of Greater Geelong will receive $2,183,504 plus an additional $1,259,494.
• Surf Coast Shire will receive $1,051,060 plus an additional $606,275.
• Golden Plains Shire will receive $1,333,655 plus an additional $769,282.
• The Borough of Queenscliffe will receive $38,179 plus an additional $22,022.

Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program has already delivered $500 million to Australian councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects in their region, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for communities.  

The additional $250 million investment is available to councils classified as rural, regional or outer-urban to spend on road projects.

466 of Australia’s 550 councils will benefit from the extra funding committed to by Labor at the last election.

The Government has drawn on the Australian Classification of Local Governments, as a robust framework underpinning the determination of eligible councils for this additional $250 million in funding.

In March, the Government extended project construction timelines for Phases 1–3 of the program. Councils across Australia will now have until 30 June 2024 to complete works, giving them a much-needed extra year on the LRCI construction timeframes for all three phases.

Individual council allocations are available on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program website.

Quotes attributable to Member for Corio, Hon Richard Marles MP

“The Albanese Government is proud to be delivering for Geelong and on our commitment for additional funding under the LRCI program.”

“This funding will assist the City of Greater Geelong to deliver these vital projects which will make our great community even better.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP: 

“These additional dollars are an acknowledgement that our regional roads are under pressure.”

“We’ve had a perfect storm, with rapid growth, more cars on our roads and an increasing number of damaging weather events.”

“And, with escalating costs, it’s only getting harder for local councils to maintain roads. That’s why the Federal Government is stepping in to help, providing significant funding for our region.”

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King MP:

“We are delivering our election commitment of a further $250 million through Phase 4 to prioritise road upgrades in regional, rural and outer urban areas.

“We know many councils across the country are struggling to maintain and improve their local road networks – especially following repeated flooding and other natural disasters in recent times.