A total of 354 local governments have received an additional $135m in funding from the Australian Government for road construction and street maintenance.

This marks the final 2014-2015 quarterly instalment of the Australian Government’s $2.1bn Roads to Recovery programme.

Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss said: "Today’s payments bring the amount paid to local governments in 2014-2015 under the Roads to Recovery programme to $321.7m."

"Our financial assistance grants allow local governments to prioritise funding according to local needs."

Over the full five years of the programme, local road and street works with receive $2.1bn and in the 2015-2016 financial year, councils will each receive a double allocation, boosting the programme from $350m to $700m.

The Roads to Recovery programme will allow local councils to direct road construction and maintenance funding to where it is needed the most.

Truss added: "Our financial assistance grants allow local governments to prioritise funding according to local needs, with the untied grant funding being used to deliver infrastructure, health, recreation, environment and employment projects across Australia."

According to the minister, the federal budget announced last week will help to continue the Australian Government’s $50bn commitment to build the infrastructure for a better future.

Truss noted: "Councils are already planning for their double Roads to Recovery payment in the first quarter of the new financial year — doubling the benefits and creating more jobs in local communities across Australia."