By Staff Writer

Local government bodies across Australia will receive record funding through the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grants program.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, said councils and shires in New South Wales will receive record funding of more than $605 million in Financial Assistance Grants in 2009-10, with approximately 60 per cent of the grants going to regional, rural and remote councils. This funding is the equivalent of nearly $87 for each New South Wales resident.

Victorian councils will receive more than $452 million, with around 60 per cent of the grants going to rural and regional councils. This is the equivalent of about $85 for every Victorian resident. 

Local government in Queensland will recieve a total of $378 million — the equivalent of more than $90 for every Queensland citizen.

WA will receive a total of up to $226 million, with 76 per cent of the grants going to regional, rural and remote councils. Albanese said the funding is the equivalent of every WA resident receiving $104.

The Government will provide $131 million in grants to South Australian councils — the equivalent of more than $83 for each SA resident.

In the Northern Territory, local government will receive a total of $27.4 million, with 70 per cent of the grants being directed to rural and remote councils — that’s around $129 for each NT resident.

Tasmanian councils will share $62 million in grants, with around 62 per cent of the grants going to non-urban councils. The funding is the equivalent of $125 for each Tasmanian. 

Though an untied grant, councils will be able to spend the funds on a range of local priorities, such as roads, parks and pools, libraries, community centres, waste and environmental services.

The grants are on top funding received through the $98.3 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and the $51.2 million Roads to Recovery program.

Albanese said grant allocation was determined independently in accordance with the recommendations of the state grants commissions.