FUNDING from the state and federal governments could make a big difference to local councils in the recovery from COVID-19.
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Bathurst Regional Council, for one, is hoping to receive some funding and is optimistic that it will be forthcoming.
At last week's council meeting, general manager David Sherley said council was yet to receive any stimulus from higher levels of government, but discussions were occurring.
"We've not had any allocations at this time. We have been asked, particularly by the deputy prime minister's department, to list some projects, particularly road-type projects, for infrastructure development," he said.
"I'm confident that the government, particularly through the local member, that we will see some funding, but not at this stage."
Speaking to the Western Advocate the following day, Mr Sherley said that any money provided from those higher levels of government would be useful.
Council recently released documentation for its draft 2020-21 budget, which included details of the substantial assets maintenance backlog.
The backlog totals just over $102 million, with more than $61 million of that made up by work needed on roads, bridges and footpaths.
If the state or federal governments can provide support for infrastructure projects, that could help council reduce the backlog.
"It would help to get on top of the maintenance backlog, there is no doubt, so there's a benefit there, but the other benefit is that it provides work for council and contractors out in the regions to help stimulate employment," Mr Sherley said.
"... It would ensure that there are revenues coming through to meet the costs of running the business, but there is also benefits in that a number of those projects that we would be doing works on would also require private operators to assist as well, so it's again an economic stimulus."
Although much of the country has been in lockdown, council has continued to make progress on its capital works program.
"We've been maintaining our council works program and our guys have been out doing roads, parks and gardens have been maintained, we've kept all of our staff on and they're all working in that regard," Mr Sherley said.
While council is eagerly waiting to see what assistance it may receive, at the same time it has been working on delivering its own form of economic stimulus to the local community.
Two sets of measures were unveiled in April and May, with a focus on helping businesses hit hard by COVID-19, as well as community and sporting groups that need assistance to keep going.
