Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced funding for Cowra Council - and encouraged council and community groups to seek further government infrastructure funding.

“I can announce that Cowra Shire Council will be receiving $1,062,885 million this quarter under the Government’s Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) programme. This will be the third quarterly payment to councils in the 2014-15 financial year. Council will receive a total $4,251,542 this year,” Mr Taylor said.

“FAGs funding is untied grant money, allowing Council to spend according to local priorities.

“This announcement is in addition to the funding windfall for Hume under the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Programme and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme.

“Hume councils have done exceptionally well to secure more than $6.68 million in funding for a number of bridge replacements and road upgrades. It is a reflection of the high standard of applications put forward by local councils. Cowra has been recently successful in securing a $2.262 million Federal funding grant towards expansion of facilities at St Raphael’s School.”

Mr Taylor said targeted Federal infrastructure funding like the Bridges Renewal Programme, Heavy Safety and Productivity Programme, National Stronger Regions Fund, Black Spot Programme and Roads to Recovery, meant a much bigger pool of infrastructure funding for local councils.

“There is significant net benefit over the forward estimates to local government through these targeted programmes. If we continue to work together – federal, state and local government – to get more than our fair share of the pie, we can secure crucial infrastructure improvements and ultimately more jobs and growth for Cowra.

“My office is always enthusiastic about helping with letters of support, with guidance on application preparation and with general advice,” he said.

Caption: Angus Taylor, School Principal Michael Gallagher and Mayor Bill West after Federal funding was announced for St Raphaels in Cowra.