East Gippsland Shire Council has welcomed the federal Coalition’s announcement today of a $1 billion commitment to reinstate the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program from 2025.

This commitment aligns with Council’s ongoing advocacy for the restoration of the LRCI or a similar model to ensure local government can continue to deliver critical infrastructure that strengthens community resilience and supports regional economies.

The new commitment, which includes dedicated funding streams for both road upgrades and community infrastructure, recognises the ongoing infrastructure pressures faced by regional councils and communities.

Mayor Cr John White said the return of the LRCI Program would deliver tangible benefits to East Gippsland and support the delivery of much-needed local projects, and acknowledged the advocacy that helped make it possible.

“We acknowledge the work of Shadow Minister for Regional Development and local Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who has been a strong advocate for the program’s reinstatement. His efforts have helped keep the needs of regional communities like ours firmly on the national agenda,” John said.

“The previous iteration of this program has been a lifeline for councils like ours – it’s helped us deliver projects that directly improve the safety, connectivity and wellbeing of our communities,” John said.

“From better roads and bridges to new playgrounds and community facilities, we’ve seen first-hand how this funding creates real outcomes in every corner of our shire.”

The proposed funding model favours regional councils, an approach East Gippsland Shire Council has long called for.

“It’s good to see recognition of the extra challenges rural and regional councils face in maintaining and building infrastructure across large, diverse areas like ours,” John said.

Council noted that previous iterations of the program supported shovel-ready projects that delivered immediate and lasting benefits to communities – and is now calling for clear bipartisan commitment.

“We now urge the federal Labor government to match this commitment,” John said.

“Regardless of the election outcome, communities like ours need certainty. Reinstating this program with bipartisan support is essential to ensure we can continue delivering the infrastructure our region needs to thrive.

“Regional councils need certainty when it comes to infrastructure funding, and a long-term program like this allows us to plan and deliver what our communities need – now and into the future.”

The return of the LRCI program strongly aligns with the goals outlined in East Gippsland Shire Council’s Council Plan 2021–2025, which prioritises connected, liveable and sustainable communities supported by reliable infrastructure.

Council remains focused on securing sustainable funding that builds resilient, liveable and connected communities across East Gippsland.