Brendan Simpkins

THIS year’s State Budget will feature $100 million in funding that will go towards local government infrastructure projects.

The Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program is a stimulus package aimed at boosting the state’s economy post COVID-19.

Councils that secure a slice of the funding will need to match it dollar-for-dollar, meaning that more than $200 million will be spent on projects across South Australia.

These projects need to be shovel ready in order to qualify for funding.

A minimum cost of $1 million is also required.

SA Premier Steven Marshall made the announcement on Saturday alongside minister for local government Vickie Chapman and minister for investment and trade Stephen Patterson.

He said projects could range from bigger builds like the construction of libraries, museums or galleries to smaller projects like paving work and walking trails.

“We want to create as many jobs as we possibly can in South Australia as quickly as we possibly can,” Mr Marshall said.

At a local level, Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said she was excited about the budget inclusion, describing it as an “unheralded opportunity.”

“We are quite excited about $100 million just for South Australian councils,” she said.

“I can’t recall when that’s occurred before so it’s a huge shot of confidence for local government and we are certainly going to want to be in the mix.

“It is an unheralded opportunity for us, there is so many projects we can look at.”

However, she declined to comment on any potential projects just yet, saying that council would need to view the criteria first.

“There’s loads of opportunity and loads of scope here,” she said.

New roads, stormwater infrastructure, investment in energy projects, park infrastructure, walking and cycling trails will also attract funding from the Partnership Program.