The $3.25 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, funded by the Australian Government, supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies.

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 1

Funding Allocations

Funding allocations for the LRCI Program are determined by formula and take into account road length.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Funding Allocations Phase 1 PDF: 285 KB 

Program Guidelines and Work Schedule

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Program Guidelines (updated April 2022) PDF: 237 KB 
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Work Schedule – Project Nomination PDF: 203 KB 

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 2

Funding Allocations

Funding allocations for the LRCI Program Phase 2 are determined by formula and take into account road length and population.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Funding Allocations Phase 2 PDF: 1125 KB 

Program Guidelines and Work Schedule

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 2 – Program Guidelines (updated April 2022) PDF: 243 KB 
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 2 – Work Schedule – Project Nomination DOCX: 103 KB

Extension of Eligible Construction Time Period – Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3

The Eligible Construction Time Period (ECTP) is set out in the LRCI Program Guidelines at 5.3 for Phase 1 Guidelines, 5.4 for Phase 2 and Phase 3 Guidelines.

From April 2023, the Department has extended the construction period for all approved projects across for the LRCI Program Phases 1, 2 and 3 with projects to be delivered by 30 June 2024. This extension to the ECTP is available as councils have experienced delays in project delivery associated with supply chain issues, labour shortages, and extreme weather events.

To benefit from this extension, Councils will need to return a signed letter of variation to their grant agreement. This letter of variation will cover Phases 1, 2 and 3.

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 3

Funding Allocations

Funding allocations for the LRCI Program Phase 3 are determined by formula and take into account road length.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Funding Allocations Phase 3 PDF: 122 KB 

Program Guidelines and Work Schedule

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 3 – Program Guidelines PDF: 607 KB 
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 3 – Work Schedule – Project Nomination DOCX: 104 KB

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 4

The Phase 4 Guidelines and Grant Agreements will be drafted by the Department over the coming months. Nominations for Phase 4 will open in 2023.

Funding Allocations

Funding allocations for the LRCI Program Phase 4 will be determined by formula.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 4 $500 million Nominal Funding Allocation PDF: 414 KB 

Project Variations

Major Variations

Major variations to an Approved Work Schedule include a change to or expansion of project scope, or the further nomination of a new project for approval. Major variations will continue to require LRCI Program delegate approval.

Phase 1 major variation requests:

If an Eligible Funding Recipient requires an amendment of their Approved Project Cost, the Eligible Funding Recipient will be required to complete a Variation Request Form.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Variation Request Form DOCX: 65 KB
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Variation Request Form Completed Example PDF: 252 KB 

Phase 2 and Phase 3 major variation requests:

If an Eligible Funding Recipient requires an amendment to their Approved Project cost or scope of works, the Eligible Funding Recipient will be required to resubmit their Phase 2 / Phase 3 Project Nomination form.

  • Edit and annotate the most recently submitted Phase 2 / Phase 3 Project Nomination form in Microsoft Word, using tracked changes.

Minor Variations

Minor Variations allow Eligible Funding Recipients to extend project delivery outcomes within the already approved scope, through the reallocation of unspent/underspent program funds. Minor variations do not change the scope of an approved project, however allow changes to provide additional outcomes. Examples include, concreting additional footpath length or location, extended road resealing works, additional shade structure to playground upgrades - where that outcome is already in the scope of the project. Contact the department for advice.

Minor variations allow for the movement of funds between existing approved projects within an Approved Work Schedule in order to extend project delivery outcomes and expend the full allocation. This excludes movement of funds between projects in different phases.

Minor variations are allowed (agreed) at the discretion of the Eligible Funding Recipient and no longer require individual approval by the LRCI Program delegate. Minor variations must be reported through the existing reporting processes.

Program Reporting Requirements

Annual Reports

As a condition of the LRCI Program Grant Agreement and Program Guidelines, Eligible Funding Recipients must provide the Department with an Audited Annual Report and this must be audited by an appropriate auditor. An Annual Report is defined in 11.3 of the LRCI Program Guidelines (Phase 1) (Attached); and 11.2 & 11.3 of the LRCI Phase 2 Guidelines (Attached); and 11.2 & 11.3 of the LRCI Phase 3 Guidelines (attached). The Department also requires that an Eligible Funding Recipient complete a template detailing progress against approved projects that aligns with the expenditure and Approved Work Schedule.

2020-2021 Annual Report:

The Audited 2020-2021 Annual Report should already have been submitted to the Department by 31 October 2021. The Annual Report should have included all funding received, expended or held by Eligible Funding Recipients for the period 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2021, and should have included any funding received under Phase 2 in that same time period. This is required under s11.3 of the Phase 2 Guidelines.

2021-2022 Annual Report:

The Audited 2021-2022 Annual Report for the period 1 July 2021 through to 30 June 2022 is to be submitted to the Department by 31 October 2022. The Annual Report must include all LRCI Program funding received, expended or held by Eligible Funding Recipients for the period 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022 for all three phases of the LRCI Program.

Quarterly Reports

Eligible Funding Recipients are required to provide Quarterly Reports to the Department with information on the progress of Projects and grant funding Expenditures. Quarterly Reports must be submitted in order for Eligible Funding Recipients to receive progress payments.

Quarterly Reports for each Phase should be submitted to the Department in the month following the quarter. 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.

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.

Final Reports

Eligible Funding Recipients that have completed all projects in a relevant Phase prior to the submission of an Annual Report for that financial year, may submit a Final Report to access their Final Payment Instalment early for each relevant Phase. To be eligible for the final payment within any Program Phase, the Final Report must record that all projects listed in the relevant approved work schedule are complete within the Eligible Construction Time Period (ECTP) detailed in the Program Guidelines for that Phase.

The submission of a Final Report does not replace the requirement to submit an Annual Report. The Final Report must be included as part of the related financial year Annual Report for the related Phase and must be also be audited by an appropriate auditor at this time.

Final Reports are separate to Annual Reports and Quarterly Reports, and can be used to demonstrate that all approved projects within a Phase are completed and eligible to receive the remaining 10% (or actual expenditure) of unpaid funding.

Ad hoc Reports

If an Eligible Funding Recipient has expended all of its First Instalment under the LRCI Program in advance of 1 January 2021, an Eligible Funding Recipient can seek to access the Second Instalment early. The Eligible Funding Recipient will be required to complete an Ad Hoc Report.

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Ad Hoc Report Declaration DOCX: 68 KB PDF: 396 KB 
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Ad Hoc Report Template DOCX: 62 KB PDF: 94 KB 
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Ad Hoc Report Completed Example PDF: 91 KB 

Frequently Asked Questions

Signage Guidelines

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Signage Guidelines PDF: 513 KB 

Project Events and Announcements

The LRCI Program Grant Agreement and Guidelines outline the requirements for formal public statements, media releases or statements, displays, publications and advertising made by Eligible Funding Recipients.

Eligible Funding Recipients must:

  • acknowledge and give appropriate recognition to the contribution of the Australian Government to that project.
  • provide their local Federal Member with the opportunity to contribute to any media release or public announcement.
  • seek approval of any media releases or public announcement from the Department prior to release. These should be sent to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au a minimum of two days prior.
  • inform the Department and their local Federal Member of any proposed event to be held, at least two weeks before the event. If requested, Eligible Funding Recipients must arrange a joint Australian Government/Eligible Funding Recipient event and arrange for the local Federal Member and/or an Australian Government representative to participate in the event.

Reporting Lodgement timeframes

Lodgement period for Reports Actual expenditure period Report Report
1–30 April 2022 1 January 2022 – 31 March 2022 Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for the period commencing on the first day of that Phase and ending on the last day of the quarter to which the Quarterly Report relates.

Projected Expenditure for the next quarter.
1–31 July 2022 1 April 2022 – 30 June 2022 Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for the period commencing on the first day of that Phase and ending on the last day of the quarter to which the Quarterly Report relates.

Projected Expenditure for the next quarter.
1–31 October 2022 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022 Annual Report

Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for each Phase from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
1–31 October 2022 1 July 2022 – 30 September 2022 Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for the period commencing on the first day of that Phase and ending on the last day of the quarter to which the Quarterly Report relates.

Projected Expenditure for the next quarter.
1–31 January 2023 1 October 2022 – 31 December 2022 Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for the period commencing on the first day of that Phase and ending on the last day of the quarter to which the Quarterly Report relates.

Projected Expenditure for the next quarter.
1–30 April 2023 1 January 2023 – 31 March 2023 Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for the period commencing on the first day of that Phase and ending on the last day of the quarter to which the Quarterly Report relates.

Projected Expenditure for the next quarter.
1-31 July 2023 1 April 2023 – 30 June 2023 Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for the period commencing on the first day of that Phase and ending on the last day of the quarter to which the Quarterly Report relates.

Projected Expenditure for the next quarter.
1–31 October 2023 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 Annual Report

Actual expenditure and eligible project updates for each Phase from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 1 Frequently Asked Questions DOCX: 204 KB PDF: 250 KB 
  • Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 2 Frequently Asked Questions PDF: 637 KB 

Contact us

All enquiries related to the LRCI Program should be addressed to LRCIP@infrastructure.gov.au