Local governments in the electorate of Gilmore have received their first 2021-22 quarterly payment through the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant program.
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said the funding was ‘untied’, meaning that the councils could spend the grant according to their own local priorities.
“Local governments play a vital role across regional NSW – they deliver vital local services, but they are also much more than that – they provide a sense of community within our regions, particularly during hard times such as these,” Senator Molan said.
“Councils are at the forefront of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus packages and they are playing a critical role in helping their communities through COVID-19.”
Councils in Gilmore will receive the following quarterly payment:
| Council Name | Bring Forward from 2021-22 paid in June 2021 | Total Remaining Cash Payment 2021-22 | 1st Qtr Payment Aug 2021 | Total FA Grant 2021-22 |
| Eurobodalla Shire Council | $3,668,943 | $3,844,212 | $961,053 | $7,513,155 |
| Kiama Municipal Council | $921,700 | $949,591 | $237,397 | $1,871,291 |
| Shoalhaven Shire Council | $6,455,566 | $6,664,168 | $1,666,042 | $13,119,734 |
Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan said a total of $2.7 billion in untied Federal funding was allocated for local governments in 2021–22.
“The Federal Government prepaid around half of the allocated funding in June 2021, the remainder will be paid through these quarterly payments across the year,” Mr Hogan said.
“We know the early payment is a valued support to councils, particularly in regions that have faced the combined impacts of bushfire, drought, floods and COVID-19.”
“Across the nation, local governments employ around 194,000 people and deliver a wide range of services in the cities, regional towns and remote areas of Australia. This support will continue to bolster Australia’s economic recovery.”
Since 1974–75, the Australian Government has provided local governments with almost $60 billion in untied funding through the Financial Assistance Grants program.
For more information, visit https://www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx
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