Western Victoria Region
Mr GRIMLEY (Western Victoria) (12:45): (1912) My question is to the Minister for Local Government. I have spoken many times in this place about the need for financial assistance to our regional councils. In the many conversations I have had with rural councils in my patch, the majority of them find it difficult to plan for the future. Most of the funding they receive from the state government is through grants that are tied to projects. Although the grants are appreciated, they leave our smaller councils in the lurch. They are not sure if the grants will be approved, as they are mostly competitively based, and they find it difficult to commit to plans. Another idea from one of my councils is to start a financial assistance grant, similar to the one the federal government provides to councils. This would be untied money that our smaller councils could use to keep important community programs running, for upgrades to infrastructure and more. Minister, will you commit to investigating the viability of a state-sanctioned financial assistance grant for regional and rural councils?