LOCAL councils across the Parkes Electorate will be able to set their own priorities to deliver more community infrastructure and better roads, as part of a $1 billion funding commitment – including nearly $4 million to the Moree Plains – should a Coalition Government be elected to run the country.

The Nationals candidate for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, said the Coalition is committed to getting Australia back on track and re-establishing a genuine partnership with local government by revamping a successful program, which was cut by the Albanese Government.

Mr Chaffey said as the previous mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council, and immediate past chair of the NSW Country Mayor’s Association, he is proud The Nationals, in a Coalition Government, are backing councils by providing this funding to deliver on community’s aspirations and critical infrastructure.

“I have seen just how successful this program has been in the past to deliver thousands of projects and improve our road networks that simply could not have happened without the Coalition’s past commitments,” Mr Chaffey said.

“When Labor cut the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, they increased the financial strain that Councils are already under, depriving them of the vital support they needed to improve infrastructure and keep their roads up to scratch.

“Our revitalised program will continue the essential work of supporting local councils, creating jobs, and strengthening the resilience of our communities and I’m excited that more than 23 per cent of this funding for regional, rural and remote New South Wales, has been allocated to the Parkes electorate.”

The revitalised Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program will strengthen communities, enhance resilience, and improve local roads.

Nationals candidate for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey (left) in Moree in February with party leader David Littleproud and Moree Plains mayor Susannah Pearse.

It will be delivered through two dedicated funding streams, each worth $500 million:

Resilience and Community Infrastructure Stream: Open to all councils, this stream will help strengthen communities against natural disasters and fund essential infrastructure to support local growth; and

Roads Stream: Targeted to regional councils to fix potholes, maintain and improve local roads.

“This program will make a huge impact to address the backlog in road maintenance, contributing to safer local roads,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Only the Coalition is willing to partner with local government to achieve the best outcomes for the Parkes electorate while keeping costs down for ratepayers and getting Australia back on track”.