9 Sep 2021
Supporting local government in Kingston and Mayo | Media Release
The Hon Kevin Hogan MP
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister
Assistant Minister for Local Government
Federal Member for Page
Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC
Liberal Senator for Australia
9 September 2021
Local governments in Kingston and Mayo have received their first 2021-22 quarterly payment through the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program.
Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan CSC said the funding is untied, allowing councils to spend the grant according to their own local priorities.
“Local governments are vital to building safer and stronger communities,” Senator McLachlan said.
“They are an important delivery partner for the Federal Government’s economic stimulus packages and play a critical role in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Councils in Kingston and Mayo will receive the following quarterly payment:
• City of Onkaparinga: $1,142,153
• City of Marion: $408, 608
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson thanked the Federal Government for the funding.
“Financial Assistance Grant funding makes a considerable difference to our community, allowing us to direct funds to the projects that need it most. It also reduces the amount of rates or loans we’d need to raise to deliver our current level of projects and services,” Cr Thompson said.
“This funding has contributed to the delivery of significant projects, such as upgrading Old Coach Road Aldinga so it can better cater to the town’s future growth.
“Council thanks the Federal Government for its contribution and we look forward to working with them to deliver more priority projects across our city.”
Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan said a total of $2.7 billion in untied Federal funding was allocated for local governments in 2021–22.
“The Federal Government prepaid around half of the allocated funding in June 2021, the remainder will be paid through these quarterly payments across the year,” Mr Hogan said.
“We know the early payment is a valued support to councils, particularly in regions that have faced the combined impacts of bushfire, drought, floods and COVID-19.”
“Across the nation, local governments employ around 194,000 people and deliver a wide range of services in the cities, regional towns and remote areas of Australia. This support will continue to bolster Australia’s economic recovery.”
Since 1974–75, the Australian Government has provided local governments with almost $60 billion in untied funding through the Financial Assistance Grants program.
For more information, visit https://www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx
ENDS
