Grant Programs

In reply to Ms MICHAELS (Enfield) (2 August 2021). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government): I have been advised:

The South Australian Local Government Grants Commission (the commission) makes recommendations to me on the allocation of untied Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to South Australia's local governing bodies in accordance with the commonwealth Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.

The Marshall government is committed to working with councils to provide much needed stimulus in the community during this time.

The Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program was established to support councils to accelerate spending on community infrastructure projects that contribute to the future economic growth of their region, support the government's Growth State agenda, or improve local infrastructure facilities for businesses and community organisations to enable them to grow in the future.

Under the program, the state government will provide grants to councils for up to 50 per cent of the cost of approved infrastructure projects.

The successful projects were announced on 23 March 2021, with each of the 58 councils that submitted applications being awarded funding for at least one of their eligible projects.

Through this program, the state government is providing $106.9 million in stimulus funding, which will unlock a further $118.5 million in matching council investment and some commonwealth funding.

57 shovel-ready projects, including recreation and aquatic centre developments, new roads and intersection upgrades, playgrounds and community hubs, will be funded via the program. The total stimulus program is estimated to be somewhere in the order of $270 million to $290 million.

In addition, the Marshall government has provided support for council-owned childcare service providers through the Community and Jobs Support Fund. The state government matched the commonwealth's support under the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package and provided funding in the order of $860,000 to support these centres in the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, Whyalla City Council, Port Augusta City Council, District Council of Robe, Southern Mallee District Council, Wattle Range Council, District Council of Coober Pedy, and District Council of Karoonda East Murray.