Federal Budget Delivers on Community Infrastructure for Colac Otway
May 13, 2021
Colac Otway Shire Council has welcomed significant infrastructure funding commitments in the 2021-22 Federal Budget to support Local Government and benefit local businesses, employment, and the community.
Colac Otway Chief Executive Peter Brown said Colac Otway had advocated for the continuation of the Building Better Regions Program in next year’s budget and this week’s confirmation of a fifth round of the program was potentially essential for upcoming major works.
“Regional Councils including Colac Otway Shire have delivered great projects in recent years thanks to BBR funding and future key infrastructure projects will rely on Federal Government contributions.
“Colac Otway has received $75,000 towards the Tourism Parking & Traffic Strategy, $100,000 for the Forrest Mountain Bike Trails, $425,000 towards Central Reserve Lighting & Netball Court Redevelopment and $300,000 for the upcoming Colac Memorial Square Playspace redevelopment across the previous two BBR rounds.
“Council can now consider other priority projects for a round five application for the BBR program, which assists with our planning and future budgets.
“The extension of the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program will provide important benefits for Colac Otway particularly local business and workers over the next two years and the wider community in the long term.
“Colac Otway has already received $3.4 million across two LRCI rounds which has enabled us to build footpaths, resurface streets and upgrade Apollo Bay’s netball courts, with a playground, pedestrian bridge, roads, and a range of other projects in the design stage.
“The Federal Budget includes a further $3,406,400 over the next two years and Council will consider projects across the shire which benefit our community, with a focus on work that can be carried out by local contractors,” Mr Brown said.
“Council also welcomes Federal Budget funding for a broad range of targeted programs from preventing family violence to improving aged and disability care. We look forward to more detail about how the funding will be spent and the support it will provide to our Colac Otway community.”
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400