Indigo Shire Council is pleased the 2006 Federal Budget handed down last night (Tuesday May 09) especially in the areas of road funding and the extension to the wine equalisation tax rebate scheme.

Indigo Shire along with many other municipalities across Australia has been advocating for increased road funds. 

The announcement that an extra $2.3b under the AusLink Land Transport Strategy and the extra $309m for local Councils to improve their roads in 2006-2007 (double the usual allocation) will greatly assist road projects in Indigo Shire and the region.

Indigo Shire especially welcomes the news to speed up the duplication of the Hume Freeway north of Albury which is a route used by many of Indigo Shire residents.

Indigo Shire Council CEO Mr John Costello said whilst Council was unsure of the exact amounts that would flow to Council under the increased road funding, an increase of 3.63% compared to the grants in 2005-06 would mean Council could place an additional emphasis on improving its road and bridge network.

He said the extension to the wine equalisation tax rebate scheme would benefit winegrowers in the region. 

“Under the guidance of former councillor Don Chambers, Council has been advocating for the increase in this rebate scheme for the last three years,” he said.

“It is good to see that advocacy and the work of local winemakers finally came to fruition.

“It is hoped the increased rebate will mean winemakers can continue with their development and employment opportunities in Indigo Shire.”

Mr Costello said he eagerly awaited further detail from the Budget to ascertain other benefits the Shire may be involved in. 

He said these would include further support from the Federal Government towards major capital works with recent examples being their assistance towards the Tangambalanga Community Centre and the Rutherglen Memorial Hall projects. 

“Council is also interested in the detail on environmental funding where, even though there is some criticism by environmental groups for the effort of the Commonwealth Government, Council is hopeful a range of funds will be made available for environmental projects in the Shire including continued water saving and reuse proposals,” he said.

“The wider issues in the budget of superannuation reform, taxation reform and support for families will also see an indirect benefit to the Indigo Shire community.”