The Australian Government has started funding councils across the country to build and upgrade local road and street networks under its Roads to Recovery programme and its Financial Assistance Grants.

The objective of programme has been formulated to invest on the nation’s local road infrastructure assets to improve road access. The government has released more than $60m of initial funding to 183 local authorities that have submitted returns for Roads to Recovery programme.

"The Australian Government’s funding comes with no strings attached, meaning councils are free to spend the money on local priorities."

According to the programme, councils can choose the project, depending on their needs for building and upgrading local road and streets.

Minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss said: "The government has provided certainty for Roads to Recovery, as the new legislations abolishes the sunset clause that saw Labour unnecessarily hold up funding for five months.

"In a double helping of good news for council balance sheets, the second quarterly payment of $575m under the Financial Assistance Grant programme will be paid today.

"Importantly, the Australian Government’s funding comes with no strings attached, meaning councils are free to spend the money on local priorities."

Truss added: "Financial Assistance Grants allow councils to prioritise funding according to local needs, with the untied grant funding being used to deliver a range of benefits to communities across Australia, such as infrastructure, health, recreation, environment and employment projects."