Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, and Warren Snowdon, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, have announced more than $2.6 million to build or refurbish 12 separate community halls and venues across the Eastern Riverina.

Minister Snowdon was in Wagga Wagga for the announcement with mayors and councillors from six councils in the Riverina.

This project is a part of a comprehensive plan by six member councils of Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) to help make these communities an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.

Funding for this $3.5 million project is part of our $800 million Community Infrastructure Program - the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

Through the Rudd Government's economic stimulus package, we are investing in major projects like this to support local jobs and economies during the global recession.

The project is spread over six local government areas - Coolamon Shire, Wagga Wagga City Council, Temora Shire, Lockhart Shire, Greater Hume Shire, and Urana Shire.

Of the 12 projects, half will be brand new and the remainder are major upgrades and refurbishments of existing facilities. They include:

•  Construction of an outdoor auditorium and upgrade of the Up-to-Date Store at The Coolamon Up-to-Date Learning & Cultural Centre Precinct, as well as a transport link to the RSL Museum;


•  Creation an outdoor community space/meeting place and a community garden at the Jindera Village Green Project;


•  Refurbishment of the Lockhart Community Hall and The Rock Community Hall;


•  Construction of a new community hall at Yerong Creek;


•  Construction of reception and exhibition spaces at the Temora Rural Museum;


•  Repairs to roof and building structures at the Urana Memorial Hall project;


•  Construction of a new community centre at Ashmont;


•  Construction of a new community hall at Brookdale; and


•  Refurbishment of the Tarcutta, Mangoplah and Galore community halls.

This funding builds on $2.4 million that the Rudd Labor Government has already delivered for 53 local projects in the eastern Riverina this year. It brings our investment in local community infrastructure to more than $4 million this year.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus package is infrastructure with construction projects already underway. More than 3,000 projects are being funded through the Government's Community Infrastructure Program across Australia to support local jobs.