WITH the federal government splashing the cash to ensure the country's economy can recover from the pandemic, Leeton's mayor Paul Maytom is confident the shire won't miss out.
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The federal government handed down its budget this week, which included a one billion investment in the local roads and community infrastructure.
"We haven't got a breakdown yet of what this will mean specifically for Leeton, but we are looking into it," councillor Maytom said.
"Things like footpaths and stimulus in our community really do go hand-in-hand.
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"Here in Leeton shire we've identified $7 million of footpath work that needs completing as part of the Pedestrian and Access Mobility Plan that we've put together as a council.
"So, essentially if we can get some of this money, we can do what needs to be done as far as infrastructure programs and have that stimulus in our region."
According to the Australian Local Government Association, the extra money for infrastructure, which will be provided to local governments in the calendar year 2021, coupled with councils' ability access to the $1.2 billion wage subsidy program for trainees and apprentices, will enable them to green-light more "shovel-ready" projects that will employ people in regions still reeling from the combined effects of natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic.
"I'm hopeful that we all get a fair go at it," Cr Maytom said.
"If we don't get a fair go at something now, we never will, because I don't think we are going to have a crisis like this again in our lifetime.
"I've never seen so much money out there, which is quite amazing.
"We know that obviously this will mean the country is in debt, but we hope that it will create local jobs in our area, which is the whole point of these big spends."
