The Gillard Labor Government will provide up to $3.25 million to support three collaborative local government reform projects in New South Wales.

This funding will be provided through our Local Government Reform Fund to assist councils in improving their infrastructure asset management and financial planning.

The three projects include:

• Up to $2.75 million to develop training and technical resources in conjunction with Local Government Associations.

This project will be delivered through a range of regional locations with targeted assistance provided to councils identified as having limited resources and capability.

• Up to $330,000 to provide training and resources for elected councillors to increase their understanding of their responsibilities for managing assets and financial resources on behalf of their communities; and


• Up to $170,000 to build local government capability by establishing regional support networks to facilitate collaboration and mentoring among councils on a regional basis.

The Local Government Reform Fund is part of our partnership with local government to deliver better infrastructure and services to our local communities.

It is aimed at fast tracking improvements to local government infrastructure asset and financial management and encourages cooperation between councils.

We are also delivering record funding to local governments for infrastructure projects through the $1.1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Funding will be provided to the New South Wales Government under a National Partnership Agreement which is currently being negotiated.

The Gillard Labor Government is working with local and state governments to improve infrastructure and services in local communities across the nation.