Federal assistance reaches Wide Bay councils
24th November, 2015
Wide Bay councils will receive $3,867,129 in unconditional payments under the second quarter of the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grants program, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said today.
The funding is part of $2.3 billion which will be paid to local governments across Australia in 2015-16 alone and includes $1.1 billion in advance payments that were paid on 30 June 2015.
“The FAGS programme differs to most Federal Government programmes, as it is paid directly and unconditionally, allowing councils to spend it on meeting local priorities, such as building vital local infrastructure, supporting local businesses and creating jobs in our community,” Mr Truss said.
“These funds will be allocated by councils towards a variety of needs within local communities, such as roads, libraries, infrastructure as well as services like the upkeep of local parks and public spaces, animal control and waste collection and disposal.”
“This arrangement is the Federal Government’s way of acknowledging the special and important role that local governments play in meeting the needs of our local communities.”
Councils in Wide Bay will receive the following Financial Assistance Grant funding in 2015-16:
(Council) (Funding paid this quarter) (Total cash payment for 2015“16)
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council: ($72,775) ($291,098)
Fraser Coast Regional Council: ($745,148) ($2,980,590)
Gympie Regional Council: ($630,144) ($2,520,575)
Noosa Council: ($263,456) ($1,053,822)
South Burnett Regional Council: ($857,196) ($3,428,783)
Sunshine Council Regional Council: ($1,298,412) ($5,193,647)
Total: ($3,867,129) ($15,468,515)
* Some councils jurisdictions cross multiple federal electorates.
Further information on the Financial Assistance Grant programme can be found online at: www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx.
