Published on the moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Stimulus support from the Australian Government will help Moreton Bay Regional Council deliver 57 priority projects worth nearly $52.5 million by the end of the year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Phase 2 of the Federal Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program will build on the $5 million from Phase 1 to see a further $15.6 million invested into improving transport networks and community facilities across the region.
“This program supports local councils to deliver priority infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“The third phase of our highly-successful LRCI program will continue to support local jobs and businesses at a time it is needed most.
“We are investing in vital programs like this under our record $110 billion infrastructure investment pipeline, part of our Economic Recovery Plan to secure Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”
Moreton Bay Region Mayor Peter Flannery said the funding will bring forward projects in the Council’s pipeline and create hundreds of local jobs.
“This additional funding will see $52.5 million worth of projects delivered this year and will create more than 800 jobs,” Cr Flannery said.
“I’d like to thank the Australian Government for their ongoing support and investing more than $20 million into Moreton Bay Region through both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the LRCI Program.
“Council can now fast-track local infrastructure projects to be completed by the end of 2021.”
Federal Member for Dickson Peter Dutton said the LRCI program is a direct way the Australian Government is working with Moreton Bay Regional Council to improve access and safety on local roads, footpaths and cycle ways.
“While the Australian Government has been working to protect Australians from the pandemic, we believe it’s just as important to help keep the local economy strong,” Mr Dutton said.
“A key focus of the LRCI Program was improving connectivity across Moreton Bay Region’s transport network.”
Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said an investment into local infrastructure is an investment for the future.
“The resilience of our communities shone through during the pandemic, so it’s important to invest in community hubs and facilities that bring people together,” Mr Howarth said.
“We’ve worked with Moreton Bay Regional Council to identify priority community infrastructure and local roads projects that will deliver benefits for the community come 2022.”
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young said if there’s one thing locals missed more than ever during this pandemic; it’s being outdoors.
“This funding will help promote an active and healthy lifestyle for our residents by improving local sporting and recreation facilities, including the new clubhouse for the Peterson Road facility, netball courts at Burpengary and the skate park at Morayfield,” Mr Young said.
“From upgrading playgrounds, installing new fitness equipment and building much-needed sporting infrastructure, we want locals to play and exercise without travelling too far away from home.”
The Australian Government will also provide Moreton Bay Regional Council with a further $10 million from the 2021-22 Budget for Phase 3 LRCI projects, which will be available from January 1, 2022. Projects funded under Phase 3 will be announced later this year.
