Early payment of Financial Assistance Grants good news for Hinkler

Councils in the Hinkler electorate will be able to start work on crucial new projects following an early cash injection of almost $8 million under the Financial Assistance Grants program from the Coalition Government.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the Coalition Government has made an early payment of 50 per cent of the 2018-19 Financial Assistance Grants funding to councils in the region to help support the delivery of essential services and local infrastructure.

“This is a major windfall for the Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Bundaberg Regional Council who rely on untied grant funding to fund a wide range of local projects and services in their respective regions,” Mr Pitt said.

“Councils can choose whatever projects are a priority in their region to utilise this funding for.”

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said the Government’s decision to make an early payment of 50 per cent of 2018-19 Financial Assistance Grants to all 546 councils across Australia will help fast track delivery of priority local projects.

“The Coalition Government recognises the importance of giving councils the power to determine local priorities in their region,” he said.

“These grants are therefore an extremely important means of allowing local governments to invest substantial allocations of federal funds based on local needs.

“The Coalition Government also supports local councils through a range of other targeted funding programs including Roads to Recovery, Bridges to Renewal, the Building Better Regions Fund and Regional Growth Fund.”

More information about the Financial Assistance Grant programme, including funding being made to individual councils across Australia, is at: www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance