IT'S great to see more funding flow through to councils in the region through the Australian Government's Financial Assistance Grants program. The third quarterly payments have gone out to local councils nationwide today, and that includes more than $5 million in North Queensland.The figures in the latest round are:Mackay Regional Council: $1,608,483 ($6,433,934 for 2014-15)Whitsunday Regional Council: $1,172,500 ($4,690,002 for 2014-15)Burdekin Shire Council: $814,930 ($3,259,723 for 2014-15)Townsville City Council: $1,750,792 ($7,003,170 for 2014-15)Councils are free to spend this untied grant money according to their priorities, on anything from infrastructure, health and recreation, to environment, employment or roads projects.This is tangible recognition from the Abbott/Truss Government of the importance of local councils, which is in addition to the Australian Government’s $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery, $500 million Black Spot and $300 million Bridges Renewal program.