Liverpool Mayor hopeful funding just the beginning

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller has welcomed the $1.43 million in Federal Government funding for new community infrastructure to be constructed in Liverpool announced by the Deputy Prime Minister today.

The funding is part of an overall package of $500 million in new funding to councils for urgent community infrastructure and $1.3 billion in financial assistance grants.

But Mayor Waller has warned that, while a good start in addressing the financial impact of coronavirus, the allocation is not nearly enough.

“While we commend Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack for this initiative, this is just the beginning on what we need,” Mayor Waller said.

“Liverpool has identified 22 shovel-ready projects worth more than $130 million that could be commenced within months, if we had the appropriate support.

“Our road and pavement upgrades alone will cost us $33 million. And Council finances have taken a huge hit because of the COVID-19 crisis.

“By the end of the 2020-21 financial year our losses are expected to be around $50 million.”

Mayor Waller said Liverpool needed more assistance from the NSW and Federal Governments to fund these projects and help residents get back to work .

“Funding our shovel-ready projects would not only support much needed short-term construction jobs for local residents, but would provide tangible evidence of Liverpool’s capacity to successfully recover.”

Council is also getting on with its own capital expenditure initiatives to support our community recover rapidly from the current challenges.

Council already has over $60 million of Council-funded capital works underway in the local government area this financial year.