FEDERAL Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan says councils will be able to progress important road projects following the release of quarterly payments under Roads to Recovery program.

Councils will use the funding to target specific local road maintenance.

The total Roads to Recovery allocations for 2019-20 to 2023-24 are, Bellingen Shire Council $2,973,126 with a further $ 11,361 for the May 2021 quarterly payment; Coffs Harbour City Council $6,910,480; Kempsey Shire Council $5,800,940 and $74,750; Nambucca Valley Council $3,844,327 and $174,750; and, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council $9,133,088 and $872,61.

Mr Conaghan said he was pleased with the breakdown of the funding allocations for councils within the Cowper electorate.

“The Roads to Recovery funding in Cowper will allow councils across the area to progress a number of high-priority projects, using local knowledge to deliver the best local roads,” Mr Conaghan said.

“The Federal Government is committed to getting Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.

“As chair of the Federal Government’s Road Safety Committee, I recognise and understand how important this funding is in maintaining and improving our road network.”

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan said the Federal Government has committed an additional $100 million per year to the Roads to Recovery Program from 2019–20, as part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package announced in the 2019–20 Budget.

“From 2013–14 to 2023–24, the Government will provide $6.2 billion under the Roads to Recovery Program, with an ongoing commitment of $500 million each year following,” Mr Hogan said.

“Assisting local councils to maintain and improve roads under their jurisdiction is a big part of that, which is why we are also funding a $2.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2021–22 Financial Assistance Grant payment.”

More information on these programs is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au.