Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has welcomed new Commonwealth funding of $2.3 million for the region for local government road and community projects.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has announced a $1.8 billion COVID-19 recovery package, including an extra $500 million to the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program) to support jobs, businesses and the resilience of local economies.
From 1 July 2020, councils will be able to access funding to support delivery of priority local road and community infrastructure projects.
Mayor Harding welcomed the new Federal Government funding announcement saying it will be a huge boost to the region – the fastest growing in Queensland and in the top 10 nationwide.
She said Ipswich was the engine room of SEQ in terms of economic growth, an ongoing construction boom and increasing tourism numbers.
“Our population is expected to grow from the current 230,000 to well over 500,000 by 2040 and we vitally need infrastructure and a public transport network to cope with that many people,” Mayor Harding said.
“We need to get on with the job of building, creating investment opportunities and preparing for a very prosperous future for Ipswich.”
As per the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Ipswich City Council will receive a funding allocation of $2,327,860. This compares to some neighbouring councils: Toowoomba $4.1m, Logan $3.5m, Redlands $1.7m, Moreton $5m and Brisbane $11.7m.
Mayor Harding said her council will be able to select the projects to be funded in the community according to priorities at the local level. As long as these projects are eligible local road or community infrastructure projects, they will receive funding.
Funding is available for local road and community infrastructure projects that involve the construction, maintenance and/or improvements to council-owned assets (including natural assets) that are generally accessible to the public.
Eligible local road projects could include works involving any of the following associated with a road:
- traffic signs
- traffic control equipment
- street lighting equipment
- bridge or tunnel
- facility off the road used by heavy vehicles in connection with travel on the road
- facilities off the road that support the visitor economy
- road and sidewalk maintenance, where additional to normal capital works schedules.
Eligible community infrastructure projects could include works involving:
- Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
- bicycle and walking paths
- painting or improvements to community facilities
- repairing and replacing fencing
- improved accessibility of community facilities and areas
- landscaping improvements, such as tree planting and beautification of roundabouts
- picnic shelters or barbeque facilities at community parks
- playgrounds and skateparks (including all ability playgrounds)
- noise and vibration mitigation measures
- off-road car parks (such as those at sporting grounds or parks).
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