NSW Local Government Minister Don Page has today outlined the Liberals & Nationals Government’s commitment to local councils as they seek to build much-needed infrastructure in their communities and rebuild old works.

Mr Page today told Parliament of the details of the $70 million Infrastructure Renewal Scheme featured in the Budget, saying it will pay half of the interest on significant loans that councils take out to pay for infrastructure projects.

It is anticipated that the $70 million in interest subsidies provided by the NSW Government on council borrowings will unlock about $1 billion in extra infrastructure investment across NSW councils.

“The Infrastructure Renewal Scheme will allow councils to begin the job of building or upgrading essential infrastructure such as local roads, bridges, community halls, libraries, paths, parks, playing fields and water facilities,” Mr Page told Parliament today.

“Projects funded and delivered under this scheme will be projects that are part of an identified infrastructure backlog – a backlog that the Percy Allen Report in 2006 estimated to be in the billions of dollars – and will be those most needed by each community.”

Mr Page said millions of dollars of extra money has also been allocated in the Budget to address other local government priorities, including:

- $200 million towards local roads which are maintained by councils
- $84 million towards the County Towns Water Supply and Sewerage program
- $76 million to eligible pensioners for council rebates
- $45 million to improve waste management and increase recycling
- $26 million for estuary, coastal and flood plain management, and dredging rivers
- $35 million over two years to extend the Community Building Partnership
- $19.8 million boost to all NSW councils’ grants programs
- $12 million over four years to boost water safety
- $4 million over four years for regional libraries
- $2.8 million for councils to maintain local heritage
- $39 million to various councils’ parks and reserves project
“The Government also recently initiated the successful Destination 2036 conference, from which we have had positive feedback from the local government sector. We will continue to consult with communities and local governments about sector reform,” Mr Page said.

“If we are going to make NSW number one again, we have to make our local government sector the best it can possibly be.”