Councils get $25 million for better roads and drainage

The Queensland Government has allocated another $25 million to councils throughout the state to help them improve local roads and stormwater drainage.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the grants comprised the second year of funding under the five-year, $125 million Road and Drainage Grants program.

“The Queensland Government is committed to making Queensland an even better place to live and work – that’s why we are again providing these vital grants to every local government in the state,” Mr Pitt said.

“These grants will help councils make a real difference where it matters most – in local communities.

“Road and drainage projects rarely make the headlines, so it’s easy to forget how important they are until something goes wrong in our own neighbourhood.

“This funding will reduce the risk of urban flooding and traffic accidents by helping to improve local government infrastructure across the state.”

Mr Pitt said Queensland councils were responsible for more than 150,000km of roads.

“Put end to end, these roads would take you around the world nearly four times,” he said.

Some of the major centres to receive funding under the program include: Brisbane – $4,964,407; Gold Coast – $1,659,409; Logan – $1,054,724; Cairns – $569, 927; Ipswich – $683,959; Mackay – $395,286; Noosa – $304,272; Mount Isa – $132,723; Rockhampton – $337,614; and Longreach – $103,428.

Mr Pitt said the Department of Local Government would provide more than $740 million in grants and subsidies to Queensland councils and other organisations this year to help build a better Queensland.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819