Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Australian Government starts assessing AusLink Strategic Regional Programme applications

With applications closing on 1 May, the Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services has begun evaluating proposals for funding under the AusLink Strategic Regional Programme. The programme encourages collaboration among Local Government authorities to develop an effective regional transport network, assist in establishing emerging industries, as well as strengthening social connectivity.

Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, said that the large number of proposals and their variety indicated the need for the programme.

"Regional funding under this component of AusLink, the National Land Transport Plan, will promote the government's ideal of a forward-looking agenda to build sustainable regional economies and communities," the Minister said. "A key element is fostering of partnerships between the Australian Government and regional Australia, represented by Local Government authorities, regional groups of councils, the private sector, community organisations and State and Territory Governments."

He said the assessment process now under way would result in allocation of the $127 million available under AusLink's Strategic Regional Programme for distribution now.

"Funding will be considered in two notional categories - for large projects involving an Australian Government contribution of more than $1 million and up to $10 million and for smaller projects requiring up to $1 million from the Government," Jim Lloyd said. "Stakeholder matching contributions under the large project category are mandatory - set at 30 per cent where the project being funded involved infrastructure controlled by a Council, rising to at least 50 per cent for projects on a State controlled road or railway.

"AusLink's Strategic Regional Programme is not about just substituting funding from one level of government for another, or letting another level of government off the hook where it has prime funding responsibility. The AusLink philosophy is to consider the transport system in a holistic sense and to marshal the resources from all governments to improve it

"I am confident we can identify many worthwhile projects that enhance the considerable investment the Australian Government is making in the interstate highway and mainline railways by improving the transport links off this network and plugging communities into the economic benefits of transport efficiencies generated at a local level."

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