Has to be a step in the right direction......
HIA, Australia’s largest building industry association has welcomed the decision by the federal government to provide additional funding to local governments to meet the cost of regional and local infrastructure.
HIA’s Chief Executive – Policy, Chris Lamont said it is important that the federal government has acknowledged the infrastructure burden faced by local government. It is also appropriate in the current climate to be allocating funding to ensure employment in the construction industry is maintained particularly in local centres.
HIA in welcoming today’s announcement has also called for a targeted allocation of this funding. Guidelines for each program will be released shortly. HIA has called for monies through both programs to be targeted to assist in meeting the infrastructure needs associated with residential development.
“We want to be sure that funding is going to be spent on real projects. The funding should also be used to offset infrastructure levies and charges which are increasingly being met by purchasers of new homes,” said Chris Lamont.
Today’s announcement provides $300 million to 565 local council areas across Australia. Major councils will receive up to $2.9 million in additional funding.
“Across all councils we are not talking a lot of money, however, given that the intended use of this funding is for community infrastructure it would be appropriate to see a reduction in the private contributions sought through infrastructure levies and charges necessary to provide community infrastructure for new residential development,” said Chris Lamont.
HIA, Australia’s largest building industry association has welcomed the decision by the federal government to provide additional funding to local governments to meet the cost of regional and local infrastructure.
HIA’s Chief Executive – Policy, Chris Lamont said it is important that the federal government has acknowledged the infrastructure burden faced by local government. It is also appropriate in the current climate to be allocating funding to ensure employment in the construction industry is maintained particularly in local centres.
HIA in welcoming today’s announcement has also called for a targeted allocation of this funding. Guidelines for each program will be released shortly. HIA has called for monies through both programs to be targeted to assist in meeting the infrastructure needs associated with residential development.
“We want to be sure that funding is going to be spent on real projects. The funding should also be used to offset infrastructure levies and charges which are increasingly being met by purchasers of new homes,” said Chris Lamont.
Today’s announcement provides $300 million to 565 local council areas across Australia. Major councils will receive up to $2.9 million in additional funding.
“Across all councils we are not talking a lot of money, however, given that the intended use of this funding is for community infrastructure it would be appropriate to see a reduction in the private contributions sought through infrastructure levies and charges necessary to provide community infrastructure for new residential development,” said Chris Lamont.
