140 communities share in $20 million for Local Answers projects

About 140 communities across Australia will share in $20 million in Howard Government funding under the Local Answers initiative, Family and Community Services Minister Mal Brough announced today.

Mr Brough said the funding would be used to support parenting, relationship skills and leadership programs, and encourage access to training and education for young parents.

"The $20 million Local Answers program will deliver much needed assistance for families and their children and build stronger communities," Mr Brough said.

"This funding brings the Howard Government’s commitment under Local Answers to almost $61 million since the initiative began in 2004."

Among the programs being funded under the latest round is the Focus on Families project in Mersey Leven in Tasmania, which will receive $275,000 over three years to provide counselling and support to families.

The VOLT Youth Enterprise Centre Workshop in Aldinga and Willunga, in South Australia, will receive $122,000 over two years to develop welding, car maintenance and carpentry skills for disadvantaged young people.

"This latest round builds on earlier Local Answers achievements, including providing funding to more than 260 projects Australia wide," Mr Brough said.

The Local Answers initiative is part of the $490 million Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, giving communities the power to develop their own solutions to local issues.

For further information on the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. Future Local Answers funding rounds will be advertised on the website and in the media.