General News
12 April, 2022
North Qld Councils Bounce Back With $2.1 Billion Commonwealth Cash Boost
A total of 25 North Queensland councils will benefit from the Australian Government’s $2.1 billion pre-payment on next year’s Financial Assistance Grant to all councils across Australia.
Townsville-based Senator for Queensland and Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Susan McDonald, said this early payment would help councils manage the cumulative impacts of the floods and COVID-19.
“The funding will target councils’ top priorities and ensure our local communities’ needs are met,” Senator McDonald said.
“Every time I speak to Northern Mayors, they tell me how vital these FA Grants are because they’re not tied to specific projects; they can be spent as the council sees fit.
“This early payment gives a welcome boost for our local communities, backing local jobs and economic growth while delivering lasting upgrades that will benefit residents for years to come.”
These NQ councils will receive the following payments:
• Boulia Shire Council, $2,771,986
• Burdekin Shire Council, $3,109,855
• Burke Shire Council, $2,755,724
• Cairns Regional Council, $5,048,159
• Carpentaria Shire Council, $4,466,824
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council, $3,294,685
• Charters Towers Regional Council, $5,457,352
• Cloncurry Shire Council, $4,838,764
• Croydon Shire Council, $3,518,963
• Doomadgee Aboriginal Community Council, $1,300,648
• Etheridge Shire Council, $4,750,163 • Flinders Shire Council, $6,078,746
• Hinchinbrook Shire Council, $1,869,554
• Mareeba Shire Council, $6,658,537
• McKinlay Shire Council, $4,894,091
• Mornington Shire Council, $2,132,221 • Mount Isa City Council, $5,626,875 • Richmond Shire Council, $3,248,953
• Tablelands Regional Council, $5,193,921
• Townsville City Council, $6,196,993
• Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, $904,983
• Burdekin Shire Council, $3,109,855
• Mackay Regional Council, $4,873,795
• Townsville City Council, $6,196,993
• Whitsunday Regional Council, $4,726,514
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan said pre-paying the Financial Assistance Grant means the Government is backing local councils when they need it most.
“The Government is committed to continuing its support to local governments, given their important role in delivering vital services and ensuring the quality of life for Australian communities,” Mr Hogan said.
“These grants are untied in the hands of local government, allowing councils to spend the grants according to local priorities – a real shot in the arm for councils and local decision-making in these challenging times.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work of local officials – with support from our Government – in dealing with natural disasters and their aftermath at a community level.
“I have been in regular contact with mayors, councillors, and other local government ministers to understand the realities on the ground and make sure we are all playing our part.
“A stable and effective local government sector is good for the nation, and we will continue to do what is good for the nation through these crises.”
Since 1974–75, the Australian Government has provided local governments with $64 billion in untied funding through the Financial Assistance Grant program to 2022-23.
The Commonwealth has committed $2.8 billion in funding to local government in 2022–23, 75% being brought forward to be paid early to local governments for rebuilding after floods and the transition and planning of living with COVID-19.
More information is available at https://bit.ly/3ugJOQs
