April 14, 2025
A Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government will invest $1 billion to empower local councils across Australia, giving them the flexibility to prioritise and deliver critical community infrastructure and road projects tailored to their communities’ needs.
The revitalised Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program will strengthen communities, enhance resilience, and improve local roads. It will be delivered through two dedicated funding streams, each worth $500 million:
Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, said the Coalition’s plan puts decision-making in the hands of local councils, ensuring funding is directed to where it’s needed most.
“These investments will build stronger communities, create jobs, boost local economies and help communities prepare for future challenges, such as natural disasters,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Coalition is committed to working with local governments, because we know the best outcomes are achieved when decisions are made at the community level.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said the Coalition’s plan would deliver immediate benefits for communities in our suburbs and regions.
“You don’t have to drive very far out of our capital cities to encounter the extent of degraded roads,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The poor state of regional road networks impacts road safety outcomes and the efficiency of freight movements. This investment is critical to address dangerous and damaging local roads for all users.”
Senator McKenzie said under Labor, investment in community infrastructure had gone backwards.
“We’re going to work to turn this around and also give local councils more say in what they need for their communities.”
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Darren Chester, said the funding commitment stands in stark contrast to Labor’s record of neglecting regional communities and breaking promises to local councils.
“Before the last election, Labor promised ‘fair increases’ to Financial Assistance Grants but that promise was broken in every Budget,” Mr Chester said.
“Our plan will support local councils, create jobs, and strengthen communities—without increasing costs for ratepayers.
“This investment will help ease cost-of-living pressures by assisting councils to upgrade roads and community facilities without shifting the financial burden onto ratepayers.”
This investment to fix roads and upgrade local infrastructure is part of our plan to build a stronger Australia, including:
Our priorities are building stronger regional economies and secure communities, delivering opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, and ensuring a sustainable environment.
Stronger, more secure, sustainable local communities that provide the opportunity for everyone to prosper will deliver a stronger, more secure and sustainable nation.
The Nationals commitment to the national interest does not stop there. The Nationals provide a considered and common sense perspective on all elements of Government policy and a balance between Australia’s political extremes.
