Proposed changes by the Federal Government to funding arrangements for regional road and rail projects could have significant local impacts, according to the state opposition.
The new changes would see the Federal Government no longer subsidise projects under $250 million, while only contributing to 50% to any projects over the threshold.
The current arrangements see the Federal Government funding 80% of regional projects with no limit on price, with the State Government to cover the rest.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin says this move may jeopardise future improvements and developments regionally.
“By setting a $250 million floor on road projects to be funded by the Albanese Government, many local projects to fix congestion bottlenecks or address high accident rates will never receive federal funding, putting pressure on State budgets to fund 100 percent of these projects,” Pasin said.
“This is a huge blow for the productivity of our national freight routes and the safety of our rural and regional motorists.”
Listen below to Tony Pasin’s chat with Chris Guscott on ARN‘s Around SA:
