Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, has announced the Rudd Labor Government will offer $2.47 million towards the $2.96 million upgrade of the Taree Regional Recreation Centre on the mid-North Coast of New South Wales.

Minister Albanese made the announcement with the Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, and the Mayor of Greater Taree City Council, Paul Hogan.

The project, which is being managed by the Greater Taree City Council, will allow the Centre to host major sporting events, such as state-level hockey, netball and touch football championships, as well as new events like cycling and triathlons.

This project will support jobs, stimulate the local economy and bring major events to the mid-North Coast. It will also provide high quality sporting infrastructure for one of New South Wales' fastest growing regions.

An upgrade of the Regional Recreation Centre was first raised in November 1993, as part of the Greater Taree City Council Social Plan.

Funding from the Rudd Government will turn this long-term community vision into a reality. 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.

This project will deliver the following upgrades:

•  Upgrade the hockey playing surface to a national standard;


•  Complete a multi-purpose pavilion;


•  Develop a 1,300-metre cycleway;


•  Construct two netball courts including resurfacing of existing courts;


•  Install flood lighting to the rugby/touch football playing fields;


•  Construct a turf cricket wicket;


•  Construct a 125-space car parking area; and


•  Install a shade structure for administration and extend the central amenities block.

This funding builds on nearly $1 million that the Rudd Labor Government has already delivered for 27 local projects in the Manning Valley this year. It brings our investment in the region's community infrastructure to $3.47 million this year alone.

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