Council submitted the list in response to a letter from Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) seeking details from councils across the country for road transport infrastructure projects that could start construction within three to six months, should additional Federal Government Funding be provided.
Council is hopeful of receiving funding through the Infrastructure Investment Program, which will assist councils to upgrade local roads, bridges and intersections. The program is aimed at driving jobs and strengthening the economy, which have taken hits amid the coronavirus crisis.
City of Onkaparinga Director City Operations Kirk Richardson said most of the 26 projects council submitted are either existing projects in the approved 2019-20 annual budget, or projects recommended to council for inclusion in council’s draft 2020-21 Budget and Annual Business Plan for community engagement.
“The projects are of priority to us and our communities and they present opportunities for the federal government to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer,” he said.
The submission includes items such as footpaths, bridges, road reconstruction and road reseal projects across 18 suburbs, totalling more than $12 million.
It’s unclear at this stage how the projects submitted will be assessed by the federal government. To see the full list of City of Onkaparinga projects submitted, see the mayor’s report in the 21 April 2020 council meeting agenda.