Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce made the announcement this week, with Gunnedah to benefit from the delivery of $1,024,602 under the latest round of funding.

Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Owen Hasler said at the May ordinary council meeting the funding was welcome, but could have been more had the federal government not put a “freeze” on the program amounts.

“Whilst it will be very well spent, I was a bit disappointed they did not commit to what the original figures would have been,” Cr Hasler told council.

A council report noted Gunnedah Shire Council would receive a total of $4.1 million in 2014-15.

The report noted the federal government had decided in the 2014 budget to freeze the indexation of the grants for three years starting in 2014-15.

The report said this would cost councils across Australia an estimated $925 million by 2017-18.

It said the Australian Local Government Association and state local government associations were seeking the support of council to have the federal governmet reverse its decision.

Mr Joyce said $10,245,587 was being provided to local governments across the New England electorate.

“The Australian government recognises the important contribution councils, as the level of government closest to Australians, make to our national economy  and the leadership they provide at a local community level,” Mr Joyce said.

“Local governments play a pivotal role in bringing communities together and producing local solutions to local problems.

“Importantly, this funding is untied and supports local governments to deliver on local priorities with the services, facilities and infrastructure communities need most.

“The Australian government is providing a total of $2.3 billion to local governments across Australia under the 2014-15 Financial Assistance Grants program.”

Mr Joyce said the fourth quarterly grants payment would deliver $575 million towards priority local projects nationwide.