The Albanese Government is partnering with Wagga Wagga City Council to deliver targeted transport and community infrastructure projects that will have a lasting impact.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP, visited town today to inspect the progress of projects, and to discuss the region's priorities.
As part of the Government's commitment to improve road safety, over $18 million is flowing to Wagga Wagga City Council over the next five years under the Roads to Recovery (RTR) program - a boost of $7.7 million thanks to the Albanese Government.
This will fund a pipeline of future road improvements across the Wagga region, adding to RTR projects already completed - such as surface upgrades on Copland Street, Norton Street and Travers Street.
Through Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, Wagga Wagga City Council is receiving over $3.2 million for local priority projects.
This supported upgrades to the surface of Byrnes Road - the main link between Wagga and Junee, with the $200,000 project completed earlier this year - fully funded by the Albanese Government.
Construction of a new steel and concrete structure to replace the ageing timber bridge on Killicks Road is currently underway and set for completion mid-next year - with the $412,000 LRCI project fully funded by the Albanese Government.
Wagga Wagga City Council is also a successful applicant under Round 1 of the Growing Regions program, with $4.4 million in Australian Government funding to go towards the development of the Lake Albert Water Sports and Event Precinct - funding that will be matched by Council.
This project will transform one of Wagga's most popular recreational sites, ensuring that Lake Albert has a consistently high water level to support a variety of water sports and events year round.
As part of the Government's commitment to help local governments turbocharge planning to deliver more homes sooner, $420,000 is being delivered to Wagga Wagga City Council under Stream 1 of the Housing Support Program.
This will support the Council's Smaller Scale Second Home Initiative, which will encourage uptake of secondary dwellings on existing residential blocks.
Nationally, the Albanese Government is delivering significant funding increases to support local councils progress their priority projects.
The Roads to Recovery program is progressively increasing from $500 million to $1 billion per year, the Black Spot Program is increasing to $150 million per year, and $50 million has been added to the new $200 million per year Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
"It was fantastic to visit the Wagga region and see upgrades to road safety and community infrastructure progressing, with significant funding increases from the Albanese Government supporting a pipeline of future works.
"This is a region that's fast-growing and it's important that all levels of government are rowing in the same direction, which is why I'll continue to work with Wagga Wagga City Council to support the delivery of their priority projects."
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Dallas Tout:
"The City of Wagga Wagga is responsible for delivering critical services to a large region, which is why it's important to partner across levels of government to ensure our community receives the support and funding we need and deserve.
"We welcome the Australian Government's Roads to Recovery program in particular, boosting much-needed funding for us to deliver safety improvements to Wagga's road network, which will benefit those in our community that drive on our roads daily."
