Durack MP Melissa Price ‘shocked’ by funding distribution of Roads to Recovery program, regions forgotten

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price says funding from the Albanese Labor Government’s Roads to Recovery program is not being distributed fairly after it was revealed regional councils were receiving less than metropolitan ones. The R2R program was established by the Coalition government in 2001 to support construction and maintain local road infrastructure, and is delivered in five-year funding periods. Funding determinations are made itemising five-year allocations to each local government area, with the latest funding period starting on July 1 with a sum of $4.4 billion. Ms Price said she was “shocked” local government areas in the Durack electorate were receiving an increase of 46.7 per cent compared with a 76 per cent increase in funding to city councils. “This lack of required funds is another direct attack on the regions by Labor and will only exacerbate the disadvantages that rural, regional and remote areas already experience,” Ms Price said. “Our communities are crying out for investment in their local road networks.” According to the 2024 National State of the Assets Report, $23.1b worth of local government roads are in poor condition, $18.7b worth have poor function, and $17b worth have poor capacity. “My electorate of Durack has 41 local councils, all located in regional, rural or remote areas, and they rely heavily on funding such as the R2R program to keep their road networks safe and operational,” Ms Price said. “In fact, local government roads represent a whopping 77 per cent of our national road network by length.” A spokeswoman for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said between 2024 and 29, local governments in Western Australia would receive more than $643 million — nearly $278m more than during the previous funding period. “All councils nationwide, no matter the location, receive the same percentage increase to their original 2019 Roads to Recovery allocations,” they said. “The previous Coalition government made ad hoc payments or bonuses to councils that were set to expire within a short time frame. “Between 2019-2024 select regional councils received an additional temporary allocation for drought relief which was paid through the Roads to Recovery Program. “The Albanese Labor Government’s increase to Roads to Recovery is permanent funding that councils will receive on a continuous basis into the future. “This will allow them to better plan for road maintenance and upgrades, helping Australians in regional areas travel where they need to go safely.” Funding across the local roads program to support local governments has also been increased by the Commonwealth to tackle dangers on the roads.