Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government and Tony Burke, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry today announced the Rudd Labor Government would offer $3.2 million for the Yeppoon Town Hall redevelopment.

Mr Burke, who was in Rockhampton for Beef Australia 2009, made the announcement today with Member for Capricornia, Kirsten Livermore and the Rockhampton Regional Council.

Yeppoon is a major tourist gateway for Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, including the Keppel Islands and Byfield National Park.

This redevelopment is about growing the local economy by bringing and keeping more people in Yeppoon through regional events and tourism.

It will create a modern venue for community events, performances and functions, as well as inter-state conferences and expos.

Rockhampton Regional Council data shows this project will support jobs in construction, as well about 25 jobs a year through increased accommodation and retail trade.

The Rudd Government is funding half of this $6.4 million redevelopment. Federal funding will refurbish more than 1,000 square metres of the Town Hall, including:

• Function Room;


• Rehearsal Room;


• Stage wings, foyer and amenities; and


• Audience seating.

Federal funding will be delivered from the $800 million Community Infrastructure Program – the single largest investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

Through the Rudd Government’s stimulus package, we are investing in community infrastructure to support jobs and local economies during the global recession.

This funding builds on $1.28 million the Rudd Government has already delivered to Rockhampton Regional Council for six smaller-scale community projects this year. It brings our investment in the region’s community infrastructure to $4.5 million this year.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus package is on infrastructure, including more than 3,000 projects in the Community Infrastructure Program across Australia to support jobs and make communities even better places to live, work and visit.