The Albanese Government is delivering a record investment in South Australia's south east, and is adding nearly $7 million to improve housing, childcare, economic, tourism and sports facilities.
This additional funding for the electorate of Barker is delivered through the Albanese Government's Growing Regions and regional Precincts and Partnership programs which fund projects that help our regions thrive.
We are investing $3.5 million in the Kingston Childcare and Child services project to deliver a new childcare centre, consultation offices for child allied health service professionals, and a designated space for children's playgroups and family members.
The Penola community will get improvements to the facilities at the Penola Football Club and Community Sports Hub with Albanese Government funding of $1.4 million for the redevelopment.
The Albanese Government is investing $508,000 in the Tailem Bend Precinct Plan which will progress planning for the 10th Street Housing Development and for streetscape upgrades of the main street, highway corridor and connecting areas.
We are also investing in the Mid Murray region's plans to build a vibrant tourism hub with a grant of $1.5 million.
The project will develop a business case, identify tourism assets, and create a precinct plan connecting 11 towns in the council district.
The Growing Regions Program continues to be highly valued by local communities with a number of worthwhile applications having been received. We look forward to continuing to work with proponents and local councils on these important projects.
Our grants programs are merit-based and transparent, replacing the legacy of rorts and politicised grants programs by the Liberals and Nationals which were criticised by the Australian National Audit Office.
The announcements today build on the significant investments already made by the Albanese Government across the Barker electorate.
We have already invested $17.7 million in Barker from the first round of the Growing Regions Program, more than $900, 000 for Stream 1 of the Housing Support Program and $193,000 for Tintinara Aerodrome.
We have also invested $950 million dollars in major projects such as the National Freight Highway Upgrade Program, Princes Highway and Sturt Highway upgrades, the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund, a safety package for rural roads and Riverland Network Flood Resilience upgrades.
Local councils in the electorate have received a 55% increase in funding for local roads with the Roads to Recovery investment rising $25.5 million to $68.7 million over five years.
This is a direct result of the Albanese Government decision to double the funding for the Roads to Recovery program to $1 billion a year.
