The South Australian Government has announced that it will double its Planning and Development Fund in 2020 to $50 million alongside local government, in an effort to fast track funding and support local South Australian jobs and businesses.
The current grant round has also been extended until 9 April to give councils more time to submit shovel ready projects for funding.
SA Premier, Steven Marshall, said the Government is acting swiftly and decisively by immediately implementing a $350 million stimulus package aimed at safeguarding the economy and protecting jobs.
“We are a team with a strong plan in place and our actions to date should fill the community with confidence, knowing they have a Government willing to do whatever it takes to manage these challenges,” Mr Marshall said.
“We will work with councils to deliver $50 million of local shovel ready projects that will support local jobs and local businesses.
“This $50 million fund for local projects to support local jobs is a key plank of our $350 million stimulus package to protect our economy and local jobs from the impacts of the coronavirus and bushfires.”
SA Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Stephan Knoll, said the State Government was writing to all councils, urging them to submit more shovel ready projects.
“We are calling on all councils right across South Australia to come forward with local projects that are shovel ready and can get off the ground in the coming months,” said Minister Knoll.
“We have extended the current grant round by another week to give councils more time to submit projects for funding this year.
“The types of projects we are looking for could include revitalisation of reserves and parks, linear parks, coastal reserves, trails and open space linkages, foreshore and riverfront precincts, civic plazas, town squares and main streets.
“This is a real opportunity to turbo charge access to quality public spaces and create new green open space within our city and regional towns.”
