The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with Rockhampton Regional Council to deliver high-priority local transport and community infrastructure projects across the Rocky region.
Federal Minister for Local Government, Kristy McBain MP, was in Rockhampton this week and met with Mayor, Cr Tony Williams to inspect local infrastructure projects.
Minister McBain and Cr Williams visited Stanwell-Waroula road upgrade, made possible thanks to a $1.7 million Albanese Government investment under the Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program and a $400,000 contribution from Rockhampton Regional Council.
The Stanwell-Waroula road upgrade will involve formation widening, pavement overlay and sealing five kilometres of road, as well as replacing a floodway and widening drainage, with construction expected to be completed in August 2024, weather permitting.
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to partnering with councils across the country to deliver local infrastructure for communities.
On top of our investment in the Stanwell-Waroula road upgrade, the Government is also injecting more than $2.3 million in funding towards Rockhampton Regional Council under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
The Council has received a total of $7.5 million from this Program.
The funding has assisted Rockhampton Regional Council to improve road safety and upgrade community infrastructure, such as the new River Rose Drive in Norman Gardens, which was completed earlier this year with $1.9 million in Australian Government funding.
To improve road safety across the country we are progressively increasing Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to $1 billion per year, increasing Black Spot funding to $150 million per year, and delivering the $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
"We spend most of our driving lives on local roads around where we live and where we work, which is why we're delivering millions of dollars to make sure they're up to scratch.
"It's great to be in Rockhampton to see work progressing across the region thanks to the significant investment from the Albanese Government, which is ensuring that we can get priority projects off the ground - in partnership with Rockhampton Regional Council."
Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Regional Mayor, Cr Tony Williams:
"Investments in roads and infrastructure like this are investments in our community.
"We have a large number of rural and regional roads in our area and the Albanese Labor Government is working with Council to help upgrade and improve them.
"That means big wins for local residents, local business and local primary producers."