The Northern Territory Government has put forth its latest budget, which includes a range of new funds for the local government sector.

Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) President Damien Ryan was keen to receive the news.

“The infrastructure spend across all council areas, particularly strategic roads with an emphasis on

providing access and flood immunity. This is very beneficial to municipal, regional and remote areas,” Mr Ryan said.

“Territory councils have much to be pleased about with a number of programmed projects in their local government areas.”

The budget includes tens of millions of dollars for new and improved transport infrastructure.

It also has millions of dollars in provisions for local government.

These measures include;

· $32.97 million in Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants

· $7.9 million for the continuation of an Indigenous Matching Jobs Program

· $5 million for local authorities to support the financial sustainability of regional councils

· $1 million as the final instalment of a $6.2 million four year program to review local government
across the Territory

· $1 million as part of a three year agreement with LGANT to strengthen governance and capacity
building of the local government sector

· $25.91 million for grants to councils from the NT Operational Subsidy grants pool.