Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese today officially turned the first sod on the Ashfield Council Centre Redevelopment which was funded through the Rudd Labor Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan.

The project was one of six fast tracked in the electorate of Grayndler to provide an immediate economic stimulus to help cushion the impact of the global recession in our community.

“The Government has provided $2.3 million to the redevelopment as part of our investment to support jobs in the local economy, and deliver long-lasting benefits to Ashfield residents," said Mr Albanese.

“This funding was delivered to Ashfield Council from the $1 billion Community Infrastructure Program – the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia’s history.

“During construction, this project will support jobs locally, and will continue to support jobs through ongoing maintenance and services.

Federal funding will contribute to upgrades including:

• maintaining a fully functioning 300-seat theatre and activity space;


• providing space for a purpose built youth resource facility;


• an accessible, a purpose built space for an Early Childhood Health Centre; and


• providing an integrated, inclusive, accessible, multi-purpose civic space that will facilitate accessible government, redevelop the area and revitalise the community.

Mr Albanese congratulated the local community for working together to build this important community facility for local families and residents.

“In total, the Government has provided $6.3 million through the Community Infrastructure Program for a number of projects in the electorate of Grayndler to support jobs and improve local infrastructure.”

This funding comes on top of other community projects in the electorate of Grayndler funded under the Rudd Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan, including:

• Over $48 million in funding for 75 school projects as part of the Building the Education Revolution;


• $1.5 million in funding for more than 450 social housing units;


• $420,000 in funding to help fix two local road black spots.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus package is infrastructure, with construction projects already underway. For more detail on the Economic Stimulus Plan and other projects in Grayndler visit www.australia.gov.au/economicstimulus.

Anthony joined Ashfield Mayor Ted Cassidy, local councillors and staff to turn the first sod of the Ashfield Council Centre redevelopment.