The Federal Government has announced increases in funding and changes to road safety programs to reduce the administrative burden on councils.
Roads to Recovery funding will gradually rise from $500 million to $1 billion per year, and Black Spot funding will increase from the current annual commitment of $110 million to $150 million per year.
The government expects the additional investment to its two key local roads investment programs to lead to safer and more productive roads across Australia.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said regional road networks had been battered by severe weather events over the past few years.
“This has been of great concern to the many people in our communities who have raised road conditions with me over the past few years,” he said.
“The Albanese Government has listened to our calls and this funding will help our local councils to fix and maintain our roads.”
Mr Mitchell said the funding increase would give councils certainty and the ability to plan, along with a reduction in the administrative burden.
“We are doing this in a responsible way, to give councils the funding they need while also ensuring the increase doesn’t put pressure on inflation,” he said.
By merging the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, HVSPP, and the Bridges Renewal Program, BRP, into a new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, councils will receive the funding they need to improve road safety in a way that reduces the burden on them, allowing more money to be spent on projects.
The amount of funding for the new program will also gradually increase such that $200 million will be available per year, up from the current $150 million total annual investment in the HVSPP and the BRP.
The Independent Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program recommended the changes and the increases in funding will be phased in over the forward estimates to avoid putting pressure on inflation, supply costs and the construction labour market.
“When all levels of government work together, we get better results in our communities, which is why we’ll continue to work on getting better results with our local councils – Macedon Ranges Shire, Mitchell Shire, Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea – as we roll out this additional financial support,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Our local governments are central to delivering road safety improvements across the road networks in our communities.”
