Council gets $8.3M grant

Gosford Council will receive more than $8.3 million in financial assistance grants from the Federal Government, according to Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal.

Ms Neal said the Federal Government was providing $6,444,540 to the council in general purpose grants and $1,882,069 in roads grants.

"This is an increase of $264,285 on the level of total financial assistance grants allocated to Gosford City in the 2007/08 financial year," Ms Neal said.

"Gosford Council is in the top 20 councils in New South Wales in terms of highest general purpose grants and highest total grants overall, coming in at 11th and 13th respectively."

Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government Mr Anthony Albanese said: "Residents in Robertson expect good local roads, decent libraries, well-maintained parks and pools, regular garbage pick-ups and high quality child care and other services.

"That's why the Government's grants are untied so that councils can spend the funds on local priorities.

"It's important to remember that the $8,326,609 is on top of the money available to councils this year from our Roads to Recovery program."

Council grants were recommended by the NSW Local Government Grants Commission, a body established under NSW legislation.

Press release, 25 Aug 2008 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson