Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Let's make good use of the Federal funding!

As you can read in various articles today, the Federal Government is releasing immediate funding for local councils to improve infrastructure and indirectly, stimulate our economy. These funds must be spent by June 2009. See article.

Manningham's allocation of $419,000, will enable us to review the priority of existing capital works as well as considering new initiatives.

I am particularly interested in seeking community views on worthy projects, but as a starting point, if elected, I would focus on new/upgraded sporting and community facilities (e.g. venues for community groups, particularly those providing facilities for youths (sporting) and the aged (care centres), kinder upgrades) and reprioritised infrastructure works (e.g. making the residential eastern end of King St safer, sooner). Whilst there will undoubtedly be restrictions on how these funds can be spent, the funds will free other parts of the budget to fund those items the community wants which are currently languishing low on Council's priority list.

Don't let our Council waste this valuable funding! Recall my observations (and your "gut-feel"), that we do not appear to be getting value for money from our council, particularly when compared with other local councils. You can do something - vote REID 1 to ensure our community benefits!

No comments: