Federal funding will allow SA’s 68 councils to pool a portion of their federal road funding. Photo: Google Maps.
The Federal Government has announced it will provide $17.9 million to local governments in South Australia for 28 projects to improve road safety and reduce long-term road maintenance.
The funding program will allow SA’s 68 councils to pool a portion of their federal road funding and distribute it through competitive grants, which help strengthen councils’ capacity to deliver local projects that are determined as high-impact.
The funding will support resealing and reconstruction of roads, shoulder widening, improving kerbing and guttering, and better connecting local road networks.
A joint multi-level government release says the projects will stretch from the Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast and will “transform significant and strategic local roads across the state, reducing congestion, bolstering the freight network, and improving tourist access”.
“We want roads, especially in our regional areas, to be safe and reliable – so that locals can drop off the kids and get to work efficiently, so that visitors can get around and experience what South Australia has to offer, and so that our supply chains can keep moving,” Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said.
“That’s why we’ve extended this program and continue to strengthen the capacity of South Australian councils to deliver priority road projects – because when all levels of government work together, local communities reap the rewards.
“Every cent counts for local councils, which is why this $17.9 million will make a huge impact on the ground in South Australia – and mean that money saved in the immediate and long-term will be reinvested into other important local services.”
SA Minister for Local Government and Regional Roads Geoff Brock said councils were facing increased challenges with rising material and labour costs. He said they “have the difficult job of trying to keep rates low for residents while still maintaining essential infrastructure, like local roads, in their communities”.
“We will continue to highlight to our federal partners how important it is for our councils to receive their fair share of funding when it comes to local roads.”
Local Government Association of South Australia Chief Executive Clinton Jury said South Australia had 11 percent of the nation’s local roads, and that councils did an exceptional job maintaining them.
“However they can’t do it alone, and rely on federal and state funding to carry out these important works,” he said.
“The Special Local Roads Program is just one of many infrastructure grants the LGA advocates for on behalf of councils, with Financial Assistance Grants and other federal road programs being crucial sources of funding.”
Lower Eyre Peninsula Mayor Jo-Anne Quigley agreed that, without federal funding, her council wouldn’t have the capacity to complete the “vital” Bratten Way project – a key road that crosses the lower half of the Eyre Peninsula.
“My council previously received funding through the program in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 for the Bratten Way redevelopment, highlighting just how important it is,” she said.
“The redevelopment of Bratten Way will transform this key roadway on the Eyre Peninsula to ensure it remains fit for purpose in facilitating freight transport across our state.
“We greatly appreciate the external funding support we’ve received through the Special Local Roads Program to get us to this point, and we look forward to further collaboration as the Bratten Way redevelopment progresses over the next five years.”
