Government cash flows to councils

By Casey Neill
YARRA Ranges, Knox and Cardinia councils have welcomed a Federal Government funding boost.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a $300 million council cash injection at an Australian Council of Local Government meeting in Canberra last Tuesday (18 November).
The funding is part of the government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) to boost local economic development and support jobs.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges is set for a $1.74 million windfall.
CEO Glenn Patterson said the shire would allocate the cash once funding guidelines were available.
“This funding will provide a major boost to the Shire of Yarra Ranges and indeed other municipalities feeling the pinch from increasing demand for services and the current economic climate,” he said.
He said state and federal government support was essential for quality services as councils battled to meet demands from growing populations and ageing infrastructure.
City of Knox will receive more than $1 million.
Knox CEO Graeme Emonson said the funding was welcome news for all local communities.
Cardinia Shire CEO Garry McQuillan said projects in line for his council’s $1.2 million boost would be prioritised in the coming weeks.
Councils are expected to receive funding criteria shortly.