Monash Council welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today of $500 million to Local Government towards new local roads and infrastructure projects to support jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $500M is part of a $1.8billion Infrastructure Investment Program that includes bringing forward $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grants payment.
Under the new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, City of Monash has been allocated $806,518.
The funding to Councils must be spent on job-creation projects that are “shovel ready”.
Monash Mayor Stuart James said Council welcomed the funding boost for Monash.
“Monash is a growing and thriving community, the largest centre for employment outside the CBD and is recognised as a National Employment and Innovation Cluster,” Cr James said.
“This funding will be used to fast track projects that will improve safety and infrastructure, including on our roads or to improve and extend bike paths for local residents.
“At a time when many in our community face precarious employment positions, this funding will not only create important infrastructure but provide much needed jobs.”
Councils were asked to submit a list of projects to the Federal Government that would qualify for this funding. Monash Council submitted 11 projects at a total cost of $2.46M under the program but will further assess priorities against the funding.
“We will review the projects against the funding and the guidelines we have been provided and decide which projects will go forward immediately under this program. We will advise the Monash community of those projects once that has been determined,” Cr James said.
