Councils urged to act for $500 million facility funding

The Senate has passed the $42 billion National Building and Jobs Plan which includes an additional $500 million for community infrastructure like sports grounds, swimming pools, community centres and town halls, on top of the $50 million as part of the $300 million package announced in November. As a result of amendments by Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown which were accepted by the Government, local councils and shires will have the opportunity to submit new or revised applications for the RLCIP.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, said that the program was extremely popular with 344 submissions already received - which sought more than $1.2 billion to build infrastructure and boost local economies.
The Minister urged interested local governments to do one of the following:
⢠Advise the Department that they wish to continue with their existing applications;
⢠Submit a new application for a new project; or
⢠Revise their existing application and resubmit within the deadline.
Existing Guidelines for the Community Infrastructure Program - Strategic Projects will continue to apply. They include:
⢠Applications are limited only to local governments, and only one application per council;
⢠Projects must be ready to go and able to proceed within six months of signing a contract;
⢠Projects must be seeking a Commonwealth contribution of at least $2 million;
⢠Councils are encouraged to contribute funds or secure partnership funds for projects; and
⢠Community organisations' projects are permitted if sponsored by a local government.
As Minister Albanese explained, "the Government is determined to deliver this funding as quickly as possible. We are taking decisive action to support jobs, generate construction and build infrastructure in communities.
"The additional $500 million builds on the $300 million announced by the Prime Minister in November 2008 at the Australian Council of Local Government - bringing community infrastructure funding to $800 million over two years.
"The Government is also conscious of the additional needs of local communities that have been affected by the Victorian bushfires and the Queensland floods. We are consulting with councils to determine options for assisting the rebuilding effort in those communities."
For details call 1800 005 494.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/rlcip_guidelines.aspx