Guyra Shire Council will receive $513,501 under Federal Government funding via the Financial Assistance Grants.
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Council has advised that this is not new funding but is mainstream funding received each year from the Commonwealth through the State.
This program has been operating for many years and does recognise rural councils have small rate bases and large road networks to maintain.
A formula is applied based on road length, population, shire area, etc and each council?s amount is calculated. Council budgets for this funding each year and relies on it to support income from rates. Unfortunately, the amount received last year and over the next three years is frozen; that is, it will not increase with the CPI.
The impact of this will be less dollars available for the maintenance of the shire?s road network as it is not keeping up with inflation.
Other councils in the area to receive funding are: Armidale Dumaresq Council $1,019,125, Glen Innes Severn Shire Council $907,201, Gunnedah Shire Council $1,024,602, Inverell Shire Council $1,343,016, Liverpool Plains Shire Council $823,842, Tamworth Regional Council $2,531,756, Tenterfield Shire Council $1,047,621, Uralla Shire Council $571,912 and Walcha Council $463,011.
Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said local governments in the New England Electorate will benefit from delivery of more than $10 million, the latest tranche of funding under the Australian Government?s four-year $9.3 billion Financial Assistance Grants programme.
"The Australian Government recognises the important contribution councils, as the level of government closest to Australians, make to our national economy and the leadership they provide at a local community level," Mr Joyce said.