Federal assistance payments for Wide Bay councils
17th February, 2016
Local Governments in Wide Bay will receive a total $3,867,129 this quarter, under the most recent installment of the Federal Government Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) programme.
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said it would be the third installment of Financial Assistance Grants funding paid to local councils this year.
“Without the Financial Assistance Grants programme, Wide Bay residents could be paying higher council rates for the same or lower levels of service,” Mr Truss said.
“The FAGs programme differs to most Federal Government funding, as it is paid unconditionally to local councils, allowing them to spend according to their own priorities.
“One of the great advantages of this funding is that it delivers a boost to local councils, so that they can get on with the job of building vital local infrastructure, supporting local businesses and creating jobs in our community.
“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 one of the Federal Government’s ways 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 Grants programme funding in 2015“16:
Council - Funding paid this quarter
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council - $72,775
Fraser Coast Regional Council - $745,148
Gympie Regional Council - $630,144
Noosa Council - $263,456
South Burnett Regional Council - $857,196
Sunshine Council Regional Council - $1,298,412
Total: $3,867,129
NB: Some councils jurisdictions cross multiple federal electorates.
Further information about the Financial Assistance Grants programme, including payments being made to individual councils, is available online at: www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx.
