Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

During recent weeks, I've taken the opportunity to see firsthand some of the works in progress and some of the completed projects as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A good program.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'A good program,' I hear the member for Gippsland say. It has proven enormously popular in the Riverina and the Central West—indeed, right throughout 537 councils across Australia. In total, $2½ billion has been allocated and each and every local government area is benefitting in order to realise their long-held aspirations and get boots on the ground to ensure that some of the projects which they probably never thought would be delivered are being delivered. They are being delivered now and are being delivered by this government. It's part of the overall $110 billion infrastructure program over the next decade which is supporting 100,000 workers. Indeed, I visited Lockhart Shire, Weddin, which takes in Grenfell, and the Forbes and Junee shires. In each of those LGAs there are projects, such as the toilet in Wal Alexander Park in Lockhart. It doesn't mean much to many, but, I'll tell you what: for mums with families there, it means the world of difference. There are projects such as the Grenfell Main Street upgrade, which is such a good project. In Forbes Shire is the heated pool and CCTV in the CBD. There are all of those sorts of projects. Junee Shire is doing a lot too. Well done to each of those LGAs. (Time expired)