Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, has announced that the Rudd Labor Government will offer $5 million towards the redevelopment of the Greensborough town centre in Melbourne.

Mr Albanese announced the funding in Greensborough with Jenny Macklin, Member for Jagajaga, Harry Jenkins, Member for Scullin and Banyule Mayor Tom Melican.

The Government's contribution will help kick-start this project to modernise Greensborough and provide high quality facilities for a growing population.

Data provided by Banyule City Council indicates that the project will support about 1,655 direct jobs during construction and provide a direct stimulus to the economy.

The Greensborough Project is worth $370 million with the Council's civic component consisting of $106 million in construction and design works. The remainder incorporates retail and commercial developments.

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 package, we are investing in community infrastructure to support jobs and economies during the global recession.

Federal funding will contribute to the community and civic infrastructure components of the Project. These are expected to include:

•  A major Regional and Aquatic and Leisure Centre, with a catchment of more than half a million people. It will include a 50-metre competition pool and incorporate environmentally sustainable design and operation;


•  A civic and community building for library services, community meeting spaces, community education and creative learning, as well as council offices;


•  A Town Square of about 1,200 square metres to link the retail precinct, transport and Main Street, with provision for community events and activities;


•  Landscaping, walkways and upgrade to Main Street in Greensborough; and


•  Traffic upgrades to major precinct intersections and public car parking.

The funding announcement builds on the $575,000 that we have already delivered for seven local community projects in Banyule City Council area.

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