Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, and Peter Garrett, Minister for Heritage and the Arts, have announced that the Rudd Labor Government will offer $10 million to commence the restoration work needed at Brisbane City Hall.

Minister Garrett made the announcement in Brisbane today.

This funding is part of the Rudd Government's $800 million Community Infrastructure Program - the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

Through our economic stimulus plan, we are investing in projects such as this to support local jobs and economies during the global recession.

Brisbane City Council plans to undertake a major overhaul of the 1920s-built City Hall, which is estimated at $200 million over the next decade.

The City Hall is an icon in Brisbane and is in urgent need of structural repairs to restore this historic building, and modernise internal infrastructure.

The planned project is expected to undertake the following activities:

•  Repair extensive water damage in the walls and ceilings;


•  Rectify subsidence beneath the building;


•  Upgrade mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fire services;


•  Address structural strength issues within the building; and


•  Provide additional floor area through the addition of a mezzanine floor.

Design and construction works have been underway for some months in the basement of City Hall. The Council is now undertaking detailed design work on the remaining components of the project.

Federal funding will help kick-start this project to deliver a revitalised civic and community hub for the City of Brisbane.

The funding announced today builds on $2.9 million that the Rudd Labor Government has already delivered to the City for Brisbane for 14 local community projects.

It brings our investment in City of Brisbane community infrastructure to $12.9 million this year.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus plan is infrastructure, including more than 3,000 projects funded under the Government's Community Infrastructure Program across Australia to support jobs and benefit communities.