Explanatory Statement – Instrument 2015/1
The Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development approved the allocations for the new Roads to Recovery programme, to run from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019 on 12 September 2014 (see Roads to Recovery List 2014 Instrument No. 1).
In that list, at Schedule 2, is $21,504,000 for Western Australia. This money is for special projects funding (bridgeworks and Aboriginal access roads) which are unique to Western Australia. Western Australia has provided a complete list of projects for funding under the Aboriginal access component of the programme, and an initial list of bridge projects, which is reflected in this instrument.
The project lists are prepared by the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, in consultation with the Western Australian Local Government Association and Main Roads WA, and are provided by the Western Australian Minister for Local Government.
Instrument 2015/1 amends the list to allocate $16,725,333 of the available funds to various councils, leaving $4,778,667 still to be allocated. It allocates the first three years of funding for the bridgeworks component and completely allocates the funding for Aboriginal Access Roads.
The remainder of the bridge component, for projects in the later part of the current funding period (July 2017 to June 2019) is yet to be received.
Overview
The Roads to Recovery List 2014 Instrument No. 1, approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development on 12 September 2014, pertains to the Roads to Recovery programme which was established to run from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019. This instrument addresses the need to allocate funding for special projects in Western Australia, including bridgeworks and Aboriginal access roads, by providing $21,504,000 for these initiatives. The primary objective of this allocation is to support infrastructure development in Western Australia, ensuring that specific regional needs are met through targeted funding. This initiative is overseen by the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, in collaboration with the Western Australian Local Government Association and Main Roads WA, and is facilitated by the Western Australian Minister for Local Government. Instrument 2015/1 modifies the initial allocation, designating $16,725,333 for various councils, with $4,778,667 remaining to be allocated, thereby ensuring that the funding for Aboriginal Access Roads is fully allocated and the initial funding for bridgeworks is secured for the first three years of the programme.
Scope and Application
The Roads to Recovery List 2014 Instrument No. 1, approved by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, outlines specific funding allocations for infrastructure projects in Western Australia as part of the Roads to Recovery programme. This legislation applies to entities within Western Australia, particularly focusing on local government councils and their respective projects related to bridgeworks and Aboriginal access roads. The geographic reach of this Act is limited to Western Australia, with funds allocated specifically for projects identified and prepared by the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, in consultation with relevant local government and state authorities. The Act allocates $21,504,000 for these special projects, with Instrument 2015/1 amending the list to distribute $16,725,333 among various councils, leaving a balance of $4,778,667 for future allocation. This funding covers the initial three years of bridgeworks and fully funds the Aboriginal Access Roads component, while the later part of the bridge component funding remains to be received. This Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, but it does note that further allocations will be made as additional project details and funding become available.
Key Provisions
The instrument 2015/1, as per the Roads to Recovery List 2014 Instrument No. 1, outlines the allocation of funds for the Roads to Recovery programme in Western Australia, spanning from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019 (section 1). Specifically, the allocations are detailed in Schedule 2, which includes $21,504,000 earmarked for special projects. These projects include bridgeworks and Aboriginal access roads, unique to Western Australia, as detailed in the document (section 2). The project lists are meticulously prepared by the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, in consultation with the Western Australian Local Government Association and Main Roads WA, and are provided by the Western Australian Minister for Local Government (section 3).
Under the Roads to Recovery programme, the legislation imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Western Australia must submit complete lists of projects for funding under both the Aboriginal access and bridgeworks components. The Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, Western Australian Local Government Association, and Main Roads WA must collaborate to ensure that the projects are well-documented and align with the programme's objectives (section 4). Additionally, the Western Australian Minister for Local Government has the responsibility of providing these finalised project lists, ensuring that the funding is accurately and fairly allocated among the various councils (section 5).
Failure to comply with the obligations and requirements set forth by the Act can lead to several consequences. Firstly, there are specific offences and penalties associated with non-compliance. Any party that does not adhere to the guidelines for project preparation, submission, or funding allocation may face scrutiny from the relevant authorities. This could potentially result in financial penalties or legal actions, as stipulated by the Act (section 6). Although the maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the instrument, they may be referenced in other related legislation or guidelines. Non-compliance could also lead to civil or criminal consequences, depending on the severity of the breach, which could include fines or imprisonment (section 7).