Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program resources

Funding allocations

The $3.25 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, funded by the Australian Government, is delivered by local governments in partnership with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Funding recipients are able to nominate projects to receive a grant amount up to their nominal funding allocation. The allocation for each funding recipient takes into consideration factors such as population and road length in each local area.

• LRCI Program Nominal Funding Allocations (508.5 KB)

Program guidelines

Local governments may nominate local priority projects to expend their funding allocation in accordance with the program guidelines for each phase of the program. The program guidelines detail the types of projects eligible to be funded under the program and the requirements to receive funding.

• Phase 4 Program Guidelines - LRCI Program (490.73 KB)
• Phase 3 Program Guidelines - LRCI Program (549.38 KB)
• Phase 2 Program Guidelines - LRCI Program (540.7 KB)
• Phase 1 Program Guidelines - LRCI Program (516.61 KB)

LRCI Program guidelines are also published on GrantConnect - help.grants.gov.au.

Project nomination

The program guidelines detail the types of projects eligible to be funded under each phase of the program. Eligible projects may include:

• construction or maintenance of roads managed by local governments. Local governments are encouraged to consider works that support improved road safety outcomes
• construction, maintenance and/or improvements to council-owned assets (including natural assets) for the benefit of the local community.

Construction activity on projects is required to be undertaken within the following Eligible Construction Time Periods (ECTP):

Funding recipient guidance

Project variations

LRCI funding recipients need to notify the department when there are any changes to their organisation, projects and Approved Work Schedules.

Minor variations - Phases 1-4

Changes such as the following are considered minor variations and do not require approval by the LRCI Program Delegate:

• variation to project construction start and end dates (within the ECTP);
• low-value movement of funds from a single project to another single project within a phase Approved Work Schedule (where the movement does not impact project scope or add/remove a project);
• updates to project outcomes; and
• organisation contact, address and bank details.

Please notify the department by including the changes in the relevant report. The department will contact you if further information or action is required.

Major variations - Phase 4 only

Note: major variations for Phases 1, 2 and 3 can no longer be accepted. Please contact LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au if your Phase 1, 2 or 3 Approved Work Schedule is no longer accurate.

Major variations require approval by the LRCI Program Delegate and include:

• an increase or decrease of total project costs, including co-contribution amounts;
• an increase or decrease in the project scope of works;
• the removal of an approved project/s;
• the nomination of a new project/s; or
• movement of funds across multiple projects and/or of high-value within a phase Approved Work Schedule.

Funding recipients should not proceed with construction on projects identified for variation in a work schedule until the variation has been approved by the LRCI Program Delegate. If construction proceeds without approval, the costs associated will be the responsibility of the funding recipient.

To seek approval for a major variation, funding recipients must:

1. Edit and annotate the most recent Approved Work Schedule in Microsoft Word, using track changes;
2. Complete all sections in the work schedule as directed; and
3. Send an email requesting approval for the variation, with the annotated amended work schedule attached to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au.

On receipt of a variation request, the department will assess the proposed changes to ensure they continue to meet the relevant program guidelines.

Assessment and approval of major variation requests can take up to four (4) weeks.

If the information provided by the funding recipient is unclear or missing key items, the department will contact you to rectify. This may extend the timeframe for assessment and approval of the variation request.

Project signage

Each project funded under the LRCI Program, valued at more than $10,000, must be identified by temporary signage as set out in the department’s Signage Guidelines. Signage must be erected by funding recipients at the start of the project and be removed once the project is completed.

Please refer to details in the Signage Guidelines published on the department’s website.

Please contact the department by email to events@infrastructure.gov.au for all enquiries about signage or to request signage templates.

Project promotions

Funding recipients must notify the department when they propose to issue a public statement, media release, publication or advertising, or to hold an event in relation to a LRCI funded project. Events and public media must acknowledge and give appropriate recognition to the contribution of the Australian Government.

Media

Media releases or public statements about a LRCI funded project require approval by the department prior to release. To seek approval for media, funding recipients must send an email requesting approval at least five (5) business days in advance of publication to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au.

Events

Funding recipients are required to notify the department and the relevant Australian Government representative of any formal event proposed to be held in relation to a LRCI funded project, at least four (4) weeks before the event. Please provide details of the proposed ceremony or event by email to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au by completing the following form:

• LRCI Project Event Notice Form (167.7 KB)

Please refer to the LRCI Program guidelines for detailed requirements about project promotions.

Reporting requirements

As a condition of LRCI Program grant agreements and guidelines, funding recipients must create and keep accurate and comprehensive records relating to grant payments, expenditure and project delivery and provide the department with regular reports.

Annual Reports

Funding recipients must lodge an Annual Report for each Approved Work Schedule for each program phase, by 31 October of each year in which the LRCI Program operates.

Annual Reports must be provided in the form specified by the department and audited by an appropriate auditor.

• Guidance for completing a LRCI Annual Report (257.89 KB)

On receipt of an Annual Report, the department will assess to ensure it meets the requirements of the relevant program guidelines. If the information provided by the funding recipient is incomplete, the department will contact you to rectify. This may extend the timeframe for assessment and approval of any payments.

Documents required for a complete Annual Report package:

• Annual Report Table (21.52 KB)
• Annual Report Declaration (140.16 KB)
• CEO Financial Statement (172.98 KB)
• Auditor's Report (140.39 KB)
• Annual Report Photographic Evidence (113.65 KB)

Ad hoc Reports - Phase 4 only

Phase 4 Funding recipients may lodge an Ad hoc Report to claim a progress instalment payment under an Approved Work Schedule.

An Ad hoc Report should only be submitted where the first instalment payment has been fully expended, and to claim a progress payment outside the annual reporting schedule.

• Guidance for completing a LRCI Ad hoc Report (239.11 KB)

Documents required for a complete Ad Hoc Report package:

• Ad hoc Report Table (19.27 KB)
• Ad hoc Report Declaration (171.88 KB)

Please refer to the Phase 4 Program Guidelines for details on how payments are made.

Final Reports

Funding recipients may lodge a Final Report to claim early final instalment payment under an Approved Work Schedule.

The submission of a Final Report is optional and should be lodged where all projects are finished early within a financial year (i.e. completion between July – March).

A Final Report is to be lodged no later than 31 March of the relevant financial year to enable payment before the end of the financial year.

• Guidance for completing a LRCI Final Report (231.69 KB)

Documents required for a complete Final Report package:

• Final Report Table (21.58 KB)
• Final Report Declaration (169.66 KB)
• Final Report Photographic Evidence (13.92 KB)

Lodgement of a Final Report does not replace the requirement to submit an Annual Report.

The Final Report does not need to be audited before initial lodgement, however the Final Report must be included as part of the related financial year Annual Report for the Phase and must also be audited by an appropriate auditor at this time.

Note: As per the Program Guidelines, final payment will be made within 16 weeks of the department’s acceptance of a complete and accurate Final Report and the Program Delegate has approved release of the funds.

Quarterly Reports - Phase 1, 2 and 3 only

Funding recipients must lodge a Quarterly Report for each Approved Work Schedule for Phases 1, 2 and 3, within the month following the quarter year.

Phase 4 does not require Quarterly Reports. Please see Ad hoc Reports – Phase 4 or the Phase 4 Program Guidelines.

The Quarterly Report must include actual expenditure and project updates for the period commencing on the first day of the phase up to the last day of that quarter. It should also include projected expenditure for the next quarter. A progress instalment payment under an Approved Work Schedule will be made, if applicable, following lodgement of a Quarterly Report.

• Guidance for completing a LRCI Quarterly Report (187.48 KB)

Documents required for a complete Quarterly Report package:

• Quarterly Report Table (33.53 KB)
• Quarterly Report Declaration (159.45 KB)

More information

You can contact the department with enquiries about the LRCI Program by email to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au