In a recent election announcement, Sussan Ley MP says a Dutton Liberal Government would deliver a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, she describes as "ground-breaking."

"(We will) deliver a guaranteed annual funding stream in perpetuity for regional, rural, and remote Australia – including for communities in southwestern NSW," Ms Ley said in a statement.

But Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Matt Burnett said such a fund must include non-competitive, formula-based funding streams.

“It’s fantastic to see the Coalition hear our calls for increased funding that recognises the extraordinary pressures on our regional, rural and remote councils.

“This election we are calling for $3.5 billion per year in formula-based funding to address the financial stressors on councils to meet modern community needs,” Mr Burnett said.

“With massive road networks to build and maintain, and ratepayers spread over vast geographic areas, many of our regional councils are facing unique and additional challenges.

“It’s crucial that the Regional Australia Futures Fund supports formula-based, non-competitive funding to all regional councils to ensure that every community benefits.

“Continued reliance on competitive funding programs hinders our ability to plan and budget for the long-term needs of our communities.”

Ms Ley said if elected the Coalition will immediately invest $5 billion into regional Australia, to help lift education and childcare investment, grow the regional health workforce and fix local roads.

"The Fund will be transparent and benchmarked with a legislated State of the Regions review by an independent committee, which will inform each four-year investment plan.

Following extensive consultations with regional communities, the Coalition says it has identified initial key priorities of the Regional Australia Future Fund, which include fixing local road and transport networks to save country lives and drive economic productivity

and growing the regional health workforce so families can access health and aged care – locally and affordably.

“Communities across Farrer have told me how federal funding has fallen through the floor under Labor," Ms Ley said

“Our councils have not been supported by Labor and this put even more upward pressure on rates.”

“Southwestern NSW needs and deserves serious money to fix our roads, improve our mobile and internet coverage, and improve access to healthcare and childcare.”

“This Fund has been designed to deliver for regional Australia – including southwestern NSW – in perpetuity, so we can get Australia back on track.”