The Australian Government makes significant investments in local road infrastructure across Australia through the Infrastructure Investment Program.

In November 2023 the Government announced significant increases in funding and changes to local roads investment programs following recommendations by the Independent Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program.

The Government is strengthening investment in safer and more productive local roads across Australia through:

  • increases to Roads to Recovery Program funding for local government areas nationally to reach $1 billion per year from 2027-28.
  • up to an additional $40 million in funding per year for improvements in road safety through the Black Spot Program.
  • introducing a new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, to merge the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) into a single application-based ongoing funding program, which will include new additional focus areas on road infrastructure needs. Funding of at least $200 million per year will be available under the program.

The increased funding under these programs will be available from 1 July 2024.

This increase is in addition to the funding provided through the 2022-23 Budget for Phase 4 of the temporary Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, bringing the total funding to $3.25 billion.

Commonwealth funding at a local level helps local communities to plan for and deliver on emerging infrastructure priorities and commit to longer term projects that deliver real benefits to Australians across the country.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program

    The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program supports all Australian local government areas to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects in their region, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for communities.

  • Roads to Recovery Program

    The Roads to Recovery (RTR) Program supports the construction and maintenance of the nation's local road infrastructure assets, which facilitates greater accessibility and improves safety, economic and social outcomes for Australians.

  • Black Spot Program

    Road crashes are a major cost to Australians every year. Black Spot projects target those road locations where crashes are occurring or are at risk of occurring, improving road safety.

  • Bridges Renewal Program

    The Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) funds upgrades to and replacement of bridges, enhancing access for local communities and facilitating higher productivity vehicle access. This program will be merged into the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

  • Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program

    The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) funds infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia. This program will be merged into the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

  • Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program

    The Safer Local Road and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) is a new Australian Government program, which will flexibly provide funding for projects to address emerging priorities in road infrastructure needs, consolidating the existing Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) into a single application-based ongoing funding stream.