JMR WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER McCORMACK
The Morrison Government has approved funding for 22 projects across the Ballarat electorate as part of its $1.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program) which is supporting local jobs, businesses and boosting the economy during COVID-19.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects was important for maintaining jobs and economic growth in Ballarat and regional Victoria.
“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local community, now and as we build our way out of the pandemic,” Senator Henderson said.
“That is why we have moved quickly to approve funding to flow to 22 job creating and community supporting projects”.
“Not only will this new program support jobs, construction businesses and economic growth across regional Victoria, it will also improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks, helping Australians get home sooner and safer.
“We will work closely with our local councils in regional Victoria to ensure local projects get underway and supporting jobs and businesses as soon as possible.”
The LRCI program is part of the Federal Government’s boost for road and community projects through local governments across Australia to support jobs and the resilience of local economies.
Ballarat electorate projects to receive funding under the LRCI Program since May 2020 are as follows:
City of Ballarat (total funding $1,532,905)
– $766,453 for the Lanstaffe Street rehabilitation project, creating 16 jobs.
– $766,452 for the Armstrong Street rehabilitation and drainage project, creating 15 jobs.
Hepburn Shire Council (total funding $968,830)
– $210,000 for upgrades to the Fairview Estate, Clunes trail loop, creating 15 jobs.
– $228,000 for Stage 2 of the Daylesford – Coomoora Trail construction, creating 4 jobs.
– $100,000 for the Clunes Railway Station to Township connecting Footpath construction, creating 3 jobs.
– $49,200 for the Creswick Railway Station to Township connecting Footpath Construction, creating 3 jobs.
– $60,000 for the Daylesford Civic Plaza & Access Path lighting project, creating 3 jobs.
– $41,630 for Outdoor Fitness Equipment for the Clunes Creek Walk, Clunes & Wombat Trail, Trentham.
– $280,000 for security lighting & shared pathway for the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve, Creswick creating 5 jobs.
Moorabool Shire Council (total funding $1,281,703)
– $75,000 for a gravel resheet of existing unsealed paths within Peppertree Park, creating 6 jobs.
– $50,000 for the construction of an extension to the existing footpath at Underbank Boulevard, Bacchus Marsh, creating 6 jobs.
– $250,000 for installation of a new path, irrigation and landscaping at Lidgett Street, Bacchus Marsh, creating 12 jobs.
– $150,000 for the installation of new pedestrian connections at Mill Park Recreation Reserve, Ballan, creating 12 jobs.
– $ 90,000 for the installation of a new automated irrigation system to an active sports field, Bacchus Marsh, creating 6 jobs.
– $60,000 for upgrades to sporting facilities (playing surfaces and surrounds), installation of a shade structure and additional outdoor fitness equipment at Egans Reserve creating 4 jobs.
– $90,000 for an asphalt mill and fill within the roundabout area and four approaches at Darley creating 7 jobs
– $40,963 for a gravel road resheet for the full length of Hopwood Street, Gordon creating 6 jobs.
– $150,000 for a gravel road resheet from 1,500m north of Muirs Road, to the end of the developed lots, Morrisons Lane, Korobeit creating 6 jobs.
– $30,000 for a gravel road resheet for the full road length, Steetley Lane, Mount Egerton, creating 6 jobs.
– $25,740 for a gravel road resheet for the full length of the road, Wise Street, Mount Egerton, creating 5 jobs
– $130,000 to rip existing seal, resheet and spray seal to the intersection with Lightwoods Lane, Shaws Road, Ballan, creating 8 jobs.
– $140,000 for intersection upgrades (modified T) including the installation of two new wombat crossings, Bacchus Marsh, creating 18 jobs.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects funded under the Program will improve the quality of life of Australians and have lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.
“Our funding boost will help communities across Australia accelerate priority projects to get people into jobs and stimulate our economy,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We know how important our support is to communities who have faced the combined effects of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, which is why we are backing projects to create employment and business opportunities while cutting travel times, as well as making our roads and communities safer.
“Having only announced the program in late May, we are moving decisively to deliver the support councils and communities need to get through this pandemic and get back on their feet.”
In May 2020, the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government also pre-paid $1.3 billion of this year’s Financial Assistance Grant to provide untied funding for all local councils across Australia to spend on local priorities.
More information on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program is available at investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program.
22 October 2020