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22 October , 2003 Media Release Road funding program should continue A group of leading regional businesses is urging Councils throughout Australia to keep the pressure on the Federal Government for an expanded road improvement program. Champions of the Bush Executive Officer Darren Chester says Local Government Councillors throughout Australia should step up their campaign for the continuation of the successful 'Roads to Recovery' program. "Since it started in 2001, the $1.2 billion Roads to Recovery program has provided a major boost to road safety and delivered economic benefits, particularly in regional areas," Mr Chester said. "But the program is due to end on June 30, 2005 and there has been no announcement at this stage about whether the program will be renewed. "The government deserves credit for initiating the program, in addition to regular road funding, but there's plenty of more work to be done on roads in rural and regional areas. "Councils must be active and start lobbying their local Members of Parliament to ensure funding continues beyond 2004-05." Mr Chester said the Roads to Recovery funding program had been successful because it allowed Councils to set their own priorities and had helped reduce the backlog of projects. "The funding was provided without strings attached and local Councils could work with their communities and decide which road projects needed to be completed first," Mr Chester said. "It was a good funding model because it gave decision-making power to local communities rather than telling Councils what to do with the money. "Councils must start thinking about the next instalment of funding and make sure the Commonwealth continues to fund this program. Helping Councils maintain and upgrade the local road network is essential for community safety and business growth in our regional areas." Mr Chester said he supported the recent comments of Transport Minister John Anderson that improving infrastructure in regional areas, particularly the road network, was essential for future growth. "The Minister told The Nationals conference in Canberra that governments at all levels and the private sector would need to invest more in infrastructure to avoid a funding 'nightmare for our children'," Mr Chester said. "The
recently released Regional Business 'A Plan for Action' also recognised
the need for greater investment in regional infrastructure. The Government
has a significant budget surplus to work with and it's time for regionally-based
Councils to start lobbying the Minister for a renewed funding commitment
to local road improvements."
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