Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, and Anthony Byrne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, have announced the Rudd Labor Government will offer $3.1 million towards the Eastern Beach Reserve Restoration Project in Geelong.

Mr Byrne announced the funding in Geelong with the Member for Corio, Richard Marles, and the Mayor of Greater Geelong City Council, John Mitchell.

The project will deliver much-needed upgrades to restore one of Geelong's historic icons and premier tourist destinations to its former high standards.

Once complete, the restoration will mean all year round access to the Geelong waterfront for the local community.

It is being funded as part of the Rudd Government's $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 such as this to support local jobs and economies during the global recession.

The Eastern Beach Reserve Restoration project will stabilise embankments, reconstruct seawalls, rebuild the diving tower, restore the children's pool and replace footpaths, re-establish shade trees and upgrade lighting and street furniture.

Eastern Beach Reserve has traditionally been a focus for recreation and tourism activities in Greater Geelong but over the years, the local infrastructure has aged and is in need of replacement.

This project will ensure Eastern Beach remains a major tourist attraction in Geelong and an asset for the local community. It will encourage tourist investment into Geelong's economy to support local jobs now and into the future.

This funding builds on nearly $2.6 million the Rudd Government has already delivered for eight local infrastructure projects in Greater Geelong this year. It brings our investment in Geelong community infrastructure to $5.6 million this year alone.

Nearly 70 per cent of the economic 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.