JMR WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER McCORMACK
The Morrison Government has approved funding for 19 projects across the Bendigo 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 Bendigo 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 19 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.
Bendigo electorate projects to receive funding under the LRCI Program since May 2020 are as follows:
City of Greater Bendigo (total funding $2,245,916)
– $1,750,000 for landscaping improvements to the Bendigo Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Precinct, creating 52 jobs.
– $495,916 Construction of a new, multi-purpose community hub at the Woodvale Recreation Reserve, creating 2 jobs.
Mount Alexander Shire Council (total funding $1,026,000)
– $50,000 for repairs to deteriorated path network sections within the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Flora and Fauna Reserve, creating 4 jobs.
– $10,000 for the planting of street trees at nominated sites to provide thermal cooling to town streetscapes in townships across the shire, creating 2 jobs.
– $40,000 for the installation of an electric vehicle charge point at High Street, Harcourt, creating 2 jobs.
– $25,000 for level crossing works on Rowe Street, Castlemaine, creating 10 jobs.
– $185,000 for upgrades to Chewton Community Centre and Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, Guilford Hall, creating 9 jobs.
– $93,500 for upgrades to facilities and access to six parks and reserves within the Council, creating 4 jobs.
– $122,500 for repair or replace fencing in six locations within the Council, creating 3 jobs.
– $500,000 for traffic improvement works at Barker Street, Castlemaine, creating 10 jobs.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council (total funding $1,315,108)
– $87,309 for the creation of pedestrian footpaths at the intersections of Richardson, Southbourne and Racecourse Roads in Riddells Creek, creating 5 jobs.
– $92,766 for walkway works to complete the link from the main road (Mollison Street) in Malmsbury to the Malmsbury Primary School, creating 5 jobs.
– $32,741 to upgrade pedestrian infrastructure at the corner of Howey and Aitken Street, Gisborne, creating 5 jobs.
– $81,852 to complete missing links in the footpaths of Maxwell and Langley Streets in Kyneton, creating 5 jobs.
– $98,222 for the bringing forward delivery of Stage 2 of redevelopment works to convert 47 Victoria St, Macedon to a community facility, creating 8 jobs.
– $144,605 for the installation of DDA compliant ramp and toilets at Red Brick Hall, Kyneton, creating 8 jobs.
– $60,101 for the bringing forward delivery of Stage 3 redevelopment works to convert 47 Victoria St, Macedon to a community facility, creating 8 jobs.
– $580,000 for restoration works to the Kyneton Town Hall facade including repairs to various architectural elements and painting in heritage colours to restore the heritage value of the building, creating 20 jobs.
– $104,771 to complete the missing footpath link along East Street in Woodend. Starting from the existing footpath on Buckland Street (near the Woodend Primary School) and joining into the existing footpath on Romsey Road / High Street, creating 6 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