March 27, 2014
More than $1.2 million in roads funding for the South Burnett and Cherbourg councils is at risk of being blocked in the Senate, Deputy Prime Minister and member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today.
He said the Federal Government’s $1.75 billion five-year funding for the Roads to Recovery Program had been passed in the Lower House but was opposed by Labor and the Greens.
“If Labor and the Greens vote against the legislation in the Senate, the program will terminate,” Mr Truss said.
“Based on current allocations, councils in Wide Bay could lose more than $6 million in Roads to Recovery funding each year over the next five years.
“That amounts to a lot of bitumen for much-needed work on our local roads and streets. Councils rely on this funding and our communities can ill-afford to lose this vital investment.”
The Federal Government’s $1.75 billion commitment is designed to help councils maintain and upgrade local roads, improve safety and transport efficiency, and support economic development across the country.
“It is difficult to understand the objection to this funding by Labor and the Greens, who are threatening the very future of the program,” Mr Truss said.
“Unless this legislation passes the Senate, it is local councils and local roads users who will pay the price.
“Our communities and businesses in Wide Bay desperately need this injection of funding for local roads now.”
Roads to Recovery allocations for 2013-14 were:
- Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council – $114,310
- South Burnett Regional Council – $1,108,65
