Media releases

Helping communities save energy, save on energy bills The Albanese Government is partnering with local government to deliver energy upgrades and bill savings for community facilities like local pools, sporting clubs and community centres, so they can spend more on what they do best.

Council achievements celebrated on national stage Outstanding achievers in local government have been recognised today with the announcement of the 2023 National Awards for Local Government winners.

Update on Christmas Island Strategic Assessment The Australian Government is pausing the Christmas Island Strategic Assessment (CISA) while significant policy and law reforms are ongoing.

Floodway upgrades set to build resilience of two key outback connector roads Floodway upgrades along Kempe Road and Anne Beadell Highway, near Coober Pedy in the far north of South Australia, get underway from this week to improve the resilience of the roads and keep outback townships connected during future flooding event

Upgrading Norfolk Island's telecommunications The Australian Government is providing $7.35 million to the Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC) for significant upgrades to Norfolk Island’s telecommunications network over the next two years.

Final seal applied to Silverton Road: culmination of major upgrade for the remote link road A final seal has been applied to Silverton Road, concluding the $5 million project to upgrade the road between Broken Hill and the historic town of Silverton in the New South Wales far west.

$45.1 million for housing in Wreck Bay The Australian Government is committing $45.1 million to invest in housing on Aboriginal Land in Wreck Bay Village in the Jervis Bay Territory as part of the 2023-24 Budget’s $1.9 billion investment in initiatives for Aboriginal

Indian Ocean Territories Administrator appointment The Australian Government has announced the appointment of Ms Farzian Zainal as Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands for a period of three years, following a rigorous and merit-based selection process.

Norfolk Island Administrator appointment The Australian Government has announced the appointment of Mr George Plant as Administrator of Norfolk Island for a period of three years, following a rigorous and transparent appointment process.

Guidelines released for new regional grants program Grant guidelines have now been released for the first round of the Australian Government’s new $600 million Growing Regions Program, with expressions of interest to open on July 5 this year.

More funding for local road infrastructure priorities The Albanese Government is delivering on our election commitment to provide an extra $250 million dollars for road projects in rural, regional and outer-urban areas under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastr

Funding boost for local road infrastructure priorities in Eden-Monaro The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on our election commitment to provide an extra $250 million dollars for road projects in rural, regional and outer-urban areas under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastruct

New National Capital Authority board member Professor Helen Lochhead has been appointed to the board of the National Capital Authority (NCA) for a period of five years, following an open merit selection process which incorporated ACT Government input.

Two new Tamworth bridges to improve local journeys Road users in Retreat and Piallamore in the Tamworth region can enjoy smoother and safer journeys, with the new Retreat and Fishers bridges now open to traffic.

Start gun fires on $52 million Hunter Sports Centre expansion Work is underway on a $52 million Hunter Sports Centre expansion set to elevate the Glendale facility to a nationally significant sporting venue.