Minister for Infrastructure and Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese joined with Marrickville Mayor Sam Iskandar today to officially turn the first sod on the $3.1 million upgrade of Mackey Park in Marrickville.

The Rudd Labor Government provided over $2.2 million to the Marrickville Council for the $3.1 million project from the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

“The Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program now totals over $1 billion and is a part of our Economic Stimulus Plan, delivering local jobs in communities across Australia by building infrastructure for the long term,” Mr Albanese said.

“Sixty jobs are expected to be created as a result of the construction works at Mackey Park, which will involve a range of local tradespeople.”

The Mackey Park upgrades will include new sports lighting, playground equipment, shade structures, pedestrian pathways, fencing and landscaping; as well as upgrades to the fields to cater for soccer and cricket and refurbishment of the amenities building.

“The upgrades to Mackey Park will mean evening games can be played. This will provide safer grounds for the players as the coverage of grass in Mackey Park decreased as the season progressed. The facility will also be more family-friendly due to the new playground and upgraded amenities,” Mr Albanese said.

“The upgraded grounds will also be frequently used by our local sporting clubs – who currently cater for more than 1,000 players.

"With the growing number of young people in the Inner West, sporting facilities are particularly important as many of these families do not have access to backyards.

"This local community project will benefit generations to come," Mr Albanese said.