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

“I can announce that Cootamundra Shire will be receiving $677,185 this quarter under the Federal 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 $2,708,742 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. Cootamundra has recently been successful in securing a $350,000 Federal funding grant toward the upgrade of Suttons Lane.”

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 Cootamundra.

“My office is always enthusiastic about helping with letters of support, with guidance on application preparation and with general advice, to try and get these worthy projects underway,” he said.

Caption: Angus Taylor with Cootamundra Shire Council's Gary Arthur and Mayor Jim Slattery.