Fact sheet : Regional Australia
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
ALGA's analysis of key points in the 2009-10 Federal Budget from a local government perspective.
Regional Measures in the 2009-10 Federal Budget:
The 2009-10 budget allocates $866 million to support primary producers, including $715 million for on-going drought support measures, such as Exceptional Circumstances assistance, specifically:
- $1.7 billion to support local and regional communities;
- $21.2 billion to upgrade regional infrastructure – highways, railways and ports;
- $156 million to protect Australia's unique biosecurity status; and
- over $450 million to drive rural research and development, which includes matching contributions from industry.
Further initiatives for rural and regional Australia:
- $156 million to ensure biosecurity measures continue at our airports, seaports and mail centres (including $92.2 million through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and nearly $63.8 million through the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service);
- The $46.2 million Climate Change Research Program to help primary producers prepare for climate change, including important work in the priority areas of soil carbon, livestock emissions and nitrous oxide;
- Weather forecasting across Australia will be transformed through the investment of $78.5 million for the Next Generation Weather Forecast and Warning System and for four new weather radars
- With industry matching, more than $450 million will be committed to support research projects across the nation's rural research and development corporations;
- Annual reimbursement grants of up to $1,500 for farmers and industry grants of up to $80,000 are available through FarmReady;
- Caring for our Country, which has already provided funding support for 186 Landcare projects worth $38 million in total and Reef Rescue projects worth $29.8 million;
- A $3.2 million Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership to continue to improve animal welfare in the live exports industry, based on an unprecedented 50:50 government-industry cost-sharing arrangement;
- A $20 million investment in the forestry industry, with $1.5 million already committed in 2008-09 to help predict the impact of climate change at a regional level;
- $2.5 million for 28 weeds research projects through the new, coordinated Weeds Research Centre across areas including livestock grazing, wetlands and rainforests;
- Supporting growers and exporters under the new, reformed bulk wheat export marketing system, including providing up to $9.3 million in transitional assistance; and
- $5.4 million to develop and implement a national fruit fly strategy.
For information about ALGA's analysis of the Budget regarding Regional development please contact:
- Rolf Fenner
- Senior Policy Adviser
Australian Local Government Association - Phone: 02 6122 9443
- rolf.fenner@alga.asn.au