The Western Australian Government has released its response to the review of the Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) which was undertaken earlier this year by the Western Australian Regional Development Trust.


Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the State Government accepted 23 recommendations, and partially accepted the remaining three, which ensured that all country local governments would continue to receive a funding allocation.


“The partial acceptance of some recommendations means there will now be a transition towards an increase in contestable funding,” Mr Grylls said.


“Local governments will receive ratings, but only on capability/capacity and prospectivity, not on risk, and this will inform the decision about future funding amounts.”


The Minister said these changes would ensure CLGF funding was directed towards projects that achieved significant regional development outcomes for the State and that there was alignment between CLGF projects and broader regional and state planning approaches.


“It’s not about the size of the project but the outcomes achieved for the local community,” he said.
 
The Trust provides independent advice to the Minister for Regional Development on the allocation and management of all Royalties for Regions funding. $243million has been disbursed to individual country local governments and as regional groupings for 1,400 projects with a value of more than $450million.

 

More information is at http://www.rdl.wa.gov.au