Infrastructure Australia has denied reports in the national media that the Federal Government planned to fast-track “up to $600 million in spending on small infrastructure projects such as local roads and bridges”.

The Australian newspaper recently reported that the $600 million could be announced at the Australian Council of Local Governments (ACLG) meeting next month.

The claim has been seized upon by peak local government bodies including the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) and  the Local Government and Shires Association of NSW (LGSA).

The LGSA said in a statement that “councils across Australia have welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement”.

LGSA president, Genia McCaffery said in the statement that “this is a great start and there will be benefits for NSW communities, councils and the economy”.

The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) also announced to its members in its newsletter that “Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that the Federal Government will provide up to $600 million for small infrastructure projects, such as local roads and Bridges”.

A spokesman for Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese dismissed the reports of $600 million and plans to move funding forward, as assumption.
 
“We told the Australian that when the story was published. They are just speculating,” the spokesperson told www.governmentnews.com.au.

“I have absolutely no idea where that $600 million figure came from. We have not announced the quantum; we have not announced the final details of the program.

“I genuinely don’t know what they are talking about,” he said.

More on this story will be featured in the November edition of Government News magazine.