A SIGH of relief was let out on Tuesday night when the federal budget was handed down.
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Leeton Shire Council had expressed its concern and worry the federal government may not choose to lift the freeze on indexation for the financial assistance grants, which nets them hundreds of thousands each year.
However, as promised the government did lift the freeze, which had been in place for three years.
Deputy mayor George Weston was pleased with the outcome.
“It’s certainly good news and a big relief,” councillor Weston said.
“I don’t think we would have been able to cope without it.
“It’s also been an issue with the federal government when it comes to giving local government grant money due to the constitution and issues with recognising local government.”
Council had already been tightening the purse strings while it tries to make savings under the Fit for the Future process, while ensuring it remains sustainable into the future. Since 2014 NSW councils have missed out on up to $300 million as a result of the freeze.
Cr Weston said the reinstatement of the financial assistance grants would be a big helping hand. He also urged the federal government to consider Leeton for a bigger project when it came to next year’s project.
Cr Weston believed there were many areas and projects that could do with funding.
“We’ve got the upgrade of the pool that we’re trying to do … it really needs grant funding to be able to complete that,” he said. “There’s also our hospital. I’m sure if money was allocated for an upgrade there it would definitely be put to good use.
“There’s also our Roxy Theatre. These are all areas that each play a different and big role in our community.”
In recent times, Wagga and Griffith have both been granted funding for new infrastructure upgrades, including to hospitals and new ambulance stations.
Cr Weston was hopeful the federal government would consider the smaller towns, such as Leeton, when it came to putting together the numbers for the 2018-19 budget.
- Where do you think the government should allocate funding to in Leeton? Take our poll at www.irrigator.com.au