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.

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.

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):

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4
1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2024 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2024 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025

 

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

Changes such as:

  • 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.

are considered minor variations and do not require approval by the LRCI Program Delegate.

Please notify the department of any minor variations by sending an email to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au or by including the changes in the relevant report. The department will contact you if further information or action is required.

Major variations

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 relevant and most recent Approved Work Schedule in Microsoft Word, using track changes (please contact the department for a copy of your Approved Work Schedule if required*);
  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.

*Note: For variations to Phase 1 LRCI work schedules, please contact the department in the first instance.

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

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

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 at Resources for funding recipients.

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

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, Ministers and the local Member of Parliament 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.

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.

Financial year Lodgement period Reporting period
2022/23 1–31 October 2023 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023
2023/24 1–31 October 2024 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024
2024/25 1–31 October 2025 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025
2025/26 1-31 October 2026 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026

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

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:

Ad hoc Reports

Funding recipients may lodge an Ad hoc Report to claim a progress instalment payment under an Approved Work Schedule for each LRCI Program phase.

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 quarterly and annual reporting schedule.

Documents required for a complete Ad Hoc Report package:

Final Reports

Funding recipients may lodge a Final Report to claim a final instalment payment under an Approved Work Schedule for each LRCI Program phase.

A Final Report should only be submitted where all projects in the relevant Approved Work Schedule have been completed, and to claim the final payment outside the quarterly and annual reporting schedule.

Documents required for a complete Final Report package:

Note that submission of a Final Report does not replace the requirement to submit a final Annual Report. The Annual Report should refer to the Final Report as part of the related financial year reconciliation and must also be audited by the appropriate auditor at this time.

Quarterly Reports

Quarterly Reports are only required for Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the LRCI Program.

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.

Financial year Lodgement period Reporting period
2022/23 1–30 April 2023 1 January 2023 – 31 March 2023
  1–31 July 2023 1 April 2023 – 30 June 2023
2023/24 1–31 October 2023 1 July 2023 – 30 September 2023
  1–31 January 2024 1 October 2023 – 31 December 2023
  1–30 April 2024 1 January 2024 – 31 March 2024
  1–31 July 2024 1 April 2024 – 30 June 2024

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 that quarter. It should also include projected expenditure for the next quarter. Note: Phase 4 does not require Quarterly Reports - please see Phase 4 Program Guidelines for requirements.

Quarterly Reports are no longer required for a phase once all the projects in that phase have been completed and a Quarterly Report has been submitted providing project completion details.

Documents required for a complete Quarterly Report package:

More information

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

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program

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