Mr Simpson asks about the operation of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and its impact on the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale. Mr Castrilli clarifies the program's scope, limitations on road funding, and the need for long-term asset management.

AnsweredQoN 67Legislative Assembly
Asked
25 November 2008
Portfolio
Local Government

QuestionView source ↗

REGIONAL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
Last week the federal government announced a regional and local community infrastructure program. In my electorate, the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale is eligible to receive close to $300 000, which will greatly assist the shire’s road construction program. Will the minister explain how the program will operate? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. Along with some other state and territory ministers, I attended the Australian Council of Local Government’s inaugural meeting conducted in Canberra on 18 November. Although I welcome the funding to assist the infrastructure needs of local governments, I advise the member for Darling Range that these funds cannot be spent on roads. Non-metropolitan members in particular would be well aware that the road assets of rural local governments in Western Australia are in significant need of maintenance. But money can be spent on maintenance and construction of other infrastructure, such as community buildings; these are an acceptable use of funding. Over $250 million in funding has been set aside nationally. I understand the Western Australian component of that is $29 million. There is another $50 million set aside for major infrastructure projects. I am advised that the 85 mainly rural-based councils in Western Australia will receive the minimum amount of $100 000. The Prime Minister made it quite clear to the mayors and shire presidents gathered at the meeting in Canberra that he required local governments right across Australia to identify their assets and prepare long-term management and financial plans for those assets. I support that position and I will be announcing my strategies in the new year for local government within Western Australia to embrace the reform for sustainability in the long term.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. Along with some other state and territory ministers, I attended the Australian Council of Local Government’s inaugural meeting conducted in Canberra on 18 November. Although I welcome the funding to assist the infrastructure needs of local governments, I advise the member for Darling Range that these funds cannot be spent on roads. Non-metropolitan members in particular would be well aware that the road assets of rural local governments in Western Australia are in significant need of maintenance. But money can be spent on maintenance and construction of other infrastructure, such as community buildings; these are an acceptable use of funding. Over $250 million in funding has been set aside nationally. I understand the Western Australian component of that is $29 million. There is another $50 million set aside for major infrastructure projects. I am advised that the 85 mainly rural-based councils in Western Australia will receive the minimum amount of $100 000. The Prime Minister made it quite clear to the mayors and shire presidents gathered at the meeting in Canberra that he required local governments right across Australia to identify their assets and prepare long-term management and financial plans for those assets. I support that position and I will be announcing my strategies in the new year for local government within Western Australia to embrace the reform for sustainability in the long term.
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. Along with some other state and territory ministers, I attended the Australian Council of Local Government’s inaugural meeting conducted in Canberra on 18 November. Although I welcome the funding to assist the infrastructure needs of local governments, I advise the member for Darling Range that these funds cannot be spent on roads. Non-metropolitan members in particular would be well aware that the road assets of rural local governments in Western Australia are in significant need of maintenance. But money can be spent on maintenance and construction of other infrastructure, such as community buildings; these are an acceptable use of funding. Over $250 million in funding has been set aside nationally. I understand the Western Australian component of that is $29 million. There is another $50 million set aside for major infrastructure projects. I am advised that the 85 mainly rural-based councils in Western Australia will receive the minimum amount of $100 000. The Prime Minister made it quite clear to the mayors and shire presidents gathered at the meeting in Canberra that he required local governments right across Australia to identify their assets and prepare long-term management and financial plans for those assets. I support that position and I will be announcing my strategies in the new year for local government within Western Australia to embrace the reform for sustainability in the long term.
Over $250 million in funding has been set aside nationally. I understand the Western Australian component of that is $29 million. There is another $50 million set aside for major infrastructure projects. I am advised that the 85 mainly rural-based councils in Western Australia will receive the minimum amount of $100 000. The Prime Minister made it quite clear to the mayors and shire presidents gathered at the meeting in Canberra that he required local governments right across Australia to identify their assets and prepare long-term management and financial plans for those assets. I support that position and I will be announcing my strategies in the new year for local government within Western Australia to embrace the reform for sustainability in the long term.
The Prime Minister made it quite clear to the mayors and shire presidents gathered at the meeting in Canberra that he required local governments right across Australia to identify their assets and prepare long-term management and financial plans for those assets. I support that position and I will be announcing my strategies in the new year for local government within Western Australia to embrace the reform for sustainability in the long term.

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