The State Liberals have welcomed the reintroduction of the $40 million supplementary local road funding program in the 2017-18 Federal Budget.

The $40 million program was reintroduced this week after extensive lobbying from State and Federal Liberal MPs who opposed the program being cut in the 2014-15 Federal Budget.

Local Councils in SA are responsible for the management of 11 per cent of the country’s local road network.
Member for Hammond, Adrian Pederick, welcomed the reintroduction of the supplementary local road funding program to ensure Councils in Hammond get the funding support they need to upgrade roads.

“Local Councils are responsible for managing local roads, which don’t fall under the auspices of the State Government, and this funding plays an important role in maintaining and upgrading our road network,” said Mr Pederick.

“The condition of roads in Hammond is an important issue and this funding will go a long way to ensuring we have safe and reliable roads.

“The reality is that better roads in regional South Australia leads to improved productivity and ease of freight movement, and in turn, more investment and jobs for regional, and indeed all, South Australians.”
State Liberal Leader Steven Marshall said the funding reinstatement is a credit to the State and Federal Liberal MPs who have fought for extra road funding in South Australia.

“My team and I have lobbied strongly to have this funding reinstated and I would like to thank the Turnbull Government for making this important contribution to SA,” said State Liberal Leader Steven Marshall.

“Upgraded and well-maintained local roads are critical to the productivity of regional SA, and improve the safety of the local road network maintained by local Councils.

“This investment in local roads is welcome news for regional communities across the state.”