The chair of the peak body representing councils on the NSW South Coast is looking for the former Regional Development Australia scheme to be revived and adequately funded in Tuesday's Federal Budget.
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South Coast Councils Group chair Gordon Bradbery said that fund, and Federal assistance grants in general, were vital sources of funding for local government.
"We've got a lot of money through those grants in the past, but that hasn't happened under this new government," he said.
Mr Bradbery said he was also concerned about the possible impact of the Budget on the disadvantaged, given the foreshadowed cuts to welfare and support programs.
"A large proportion of our population depend on social security payments," he said. "A lot of them are already living close to the poverty line.
"And we have a large disability support industry. I'm frightened for those industries as well."
