Anthony Albanese today announced a $253,000 upgrade to the Leichhardt Secondary College playing field.

Leichhardt Council will receive the funding to upgrade the playing field for community use after hours.

“This work will support jobs in our area and in the long term will provide Leichhardt with some much needed community infrastructure,” said Anthony Albanese.

Funding for this project is coming from the $800 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

“The program is aimed squarely at stimulating local economies and helping communities respond to the global financial crisis,” said Anthony Albanese.

Anthony visited the school together with Education Minister and Member for Balmain, Verity Firth and Leichhardt Council Mayor, Jamie Parker.

Ms Firth welcomed the funding to enhance the school’s facilities.

“Leichhardt Campus has a proud sporting tradition, and the upgraded fields will be of huge benefit to the students as well as the local community,” Ms Firth said.

The community infrastructure program will stimulate local jobs in the short term and improve the quality of life in local communities’ right around the country.

More than 3,600 projects have been submitted under the first round of this program and the Rudd Government has already begun rolling out projects in local communities.

“Our community along with hundreds of others around the country will benefit from funding for these important local projects.”

“I am proud to be the Local Government Minister in a Government that is delivering the largest local community infrastructure program in Australia's history,” said Anthony Albanese.