Anthony Albanese, recently announced that the Rudd Labor Government will deliver a record $1.75 billion in new money to improve local roads across Australia, by securing the Roads to Recovery program for another five years to 2014.

The program provides funding to councils across Australia, including in Grayndler.

Mr Albanese said, “This funding will be an increase of $50 million a year (or $250 million over five years) compared with the previous annual allocation under the Roads to Recovery program.”

“This funding will help fund urgent upgrades and repairs to maintain local roads and make them safer for the thousands of working Australians travelling every day.”

“In 2008-09 councils in Grayndler have received $1.2 million which is significant funding for urgent safety upgrades and repairs to local roads.”

These funds to councils in 2008-09 include:

• Marrickville Council - $256,652


• Canterbury City Council - $711,149


• Leichhardt Council - $186,487


• Ashfield Municipal Council - $130,472

The Roads to Recovery program was due to run out on 30 June 2009.

“That’s why, I introduced legislation into the Parliament which not only secures the program for five years, but increases funding by $250 million to a record $1.75 billion for councils.”

“Around Australia, councils are responsible for maintaining more than 657,000 kilometres of local roads, which are used by millions of working Australians every day.”

“The Rudd Labor Government is working in partnership with local councils to deliver safer roads,” said Anthony Albanese.

Each council’s individual allocation of this new funding will be determined later in the year by state and territory grants commissions.

Further information on Roads to Recovery can be found at http://www.auslink.gov.au/funding/r2r/index.aspx