Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to welcome the passage of a bill through the Senate last week that will see more than $21 million flow to five councils within Page to fix local roads. Over the next five years these councils will receive more than what I am going to quote because in the years 2015 and 2016 we are actually going to double what they would normally have got.

Ballina Shire Council will receive more than $2.8 million over the next few years. Clarence Valley Council will receive over $7.3 million. Kyogle Shire Council will receive more than $3.7 million. Lismore City Council will receive more than $4.5 million. Richmond Valley Council will receive more than $3.4 million over the next five years.

The Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill passed the Senate and will see councils across Page get their first payments on time and in full. The primary intent of this legislation is to enable local councils to get on with the road and street work needed in local communities. I am glad that after the hold-up we can now provide this crucial funding for councils to improve our local roads. Importantly it is councils that choose the road and street projects that they want addressed.

I might add that this will be on top of the new program that we are starting in rural and regional Australia as well: the new $300 million Bridges Renewal Program. Applications for the first round of that have just closed. I know many councils in my region have put in applications and I am sure they will be successful. Thank you.