Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, and Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction have announced the Rudd Government will offer $2 million towards Stage One of the Arts and Culture Precinct in Mildura.

Mr Shorten made the announcement in Mildura with Mayor of Mildura Rural City Council, Glenn Milne

This federal funding 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 plan, we are investing in major projects like this to support local jobs and economies during the global recession.

The first stage of a longer-term four-stage project will upgrade the existing arts centre and replace the civic centre with a new multi-purpose community centre.

Stage One of this project, which is being managed by the Mildura Rural City Council, will provide:

•  Priority works providing additional back of house area to support theatre activity;


•  Basic upgrades to improve storage, loading and access, including new seats that can be used in any further redevelopment works of the theatre; and


•  Additional car parking.

Mildura Rural City Council data shows that the construction of Stage One would support 117 jobs over a two-year period - as well as 25 full-time positions in the precinct upon completion.

This funding builds on nearly $1.5 million that the Rudd Labor Government has already delivered for nine local projects in the Mildura Rural City Council this year.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus plan 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 and deliver long-lasting benefits to communities.