Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, and Mark Arbib, Parliamentary Secretary for Government Service Delivery, have announced the Rudd Labor Government will offer $2.4 million towards a plan to reduce water and energy use at sporting ovals in Epping and Eastwood in Sydney.

Senator Arbib made the announcement with the Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, Nick Berman.

The Government is funding nearly the lion's share of this $2.6 million project. This 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 project, managed by the Hornsby Shire Council, will deliver systematic recycling of stormwater at three public sporting ovals, and install energy efficient measures at four ovals.

The water-saving measures will be implemented at Epping Oval, Ron Payne Park (Woods Street Reserve, North Epping) and Somerville Oval, (Blaxland Road, Eastwood).

Energy-saving initiatives will be undertaken at West Epping Oval and netball courts (Ward Street), Epping Oval, Ron Payne Park and Somerville Oval.

Federal funding will contribute to water and energy efficiency upgrades including:

•  Installation of rainwater tanks, irrigation, water treatment and recycling of stormwater;


•  Re-fitting of water efficient features in change rooms, showers and amenities;


•  Upgrading existing lighting, hot water, heating, air-conditioning and glazing; and


•  Upgrading ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, insulation and glazing.

The funding of the Epping Storm Water Re-use and Energy Efficiency Project comes on top of other local projects that are currently underway or planned in the Hornsby region funded under the Rudd Government's Economic Stimulus Plan, such as:

•  Investment in community infrastructure which includes the construction of a bus shelter in Neale Avenue, Cherrybrook and the reconstruction of the community centre meeting room and foyer at Berowra Library; and


•  Construction and maintenance work on local schools including $150,000 for refurbishment of learning areas at Berowra Public School and $200,000 for refurbishment of multipurpose hall, shade areas and water recycling system at Mount St Benedict College, Pennant Hills.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus package is infrastructure, with construction projects already underway. For more detail on the Economic Stimulus Plan visit www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au.