The federal government last week announced a $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery package for councils across the nation.

Gloucester Council will receive $404,217 this financial year to go towards local road construction and street repairs.

Council’s manager of assets Norm Harwood said the figure was about $4000 less than the shire had budgeted for, though the difference was unlikely to be of much concern.

In the past, council’s policy has been to use the funding received under the Roads to Recovery program to extend its sealed roadwork.

“Council has chosen to use it that way,” Mr Harwood said.

“The funding can be used for renewal works or new road works.”

Since 1994, more than 100km of gravel road in the shire has been tar sealed and council currently manages about 330km of sealed road and 440km of gravel road.

Mr Harwood said council had not determined how the funding for the current financial year would be spent.

“The special rate variation discussions have complicated things a little,” he said.

“The money can be spent on any of those works as they’re all renewal works.

“Scone, Bundook and Waukivory roads, which have all benefited from the funding in the past as part of council’s seal extension program, are all still unfinished projects.” 

Lyne MP David Gillespie said there would be an increase to the funding in the next financial year.

“As announced in the 2014 Federal Budget, our government is doubling Roads to Recovery payments to councils next year (2015-16) to $700 million, which will be a tremendous windfall for much-needed local road works,” the National Party MP said.

“Importantly, the Roads to Recovery program is set up for councils to make road spending decisions based on local needs - without interference from Canberra - to ensure that funding is truly directed to where it is most needed in the community.”

Mayor John Rosenbaum welcomed the funding but said it did little to alleviate council’s financial woes.

“It’s a welcome amount of funding, but it’s never enough,” he said.

“Council needs more money to put us in a healthier position.”

Speaking earlier this year, Mr Harwood said if council rates continued to rise in line with the Consumer Price Index, just 1.3 per cent of local roads would be in a good or average condition by the end of the decade.

At present 47.3 per cent of rural roads maintained by the shire are in a fair condition, according to council, while 41.2 per cent are in a good condition.

In town 51.7 per cent of roads are in fair condition while 25.8 per cent are considered to be in good shape.