Anthony Albanese, Infrastructure and Local Government Minister, and Joel Fitzgibbon, Minister for Defence have announced that the Rudd Labor Government will offer $3.6 million towards the revitalisation of Darwin's CBD in the Top End.

Minister Fitzgibbon made the announcement with Member for Solomon, Damian Hale.

The Government is making a strategic contribution to help make sure that this $8.6 million project goes ahead.

Funding will come from the Government's $800 million Community Infrastructure Program - the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

We are investing in community infrastructure to support jobs and stimulate local economies during the global economic recession.

The project, which is being managed by the Darwin City Council, gives Darwin, Australia's trade and tourism gateway to Asia, the opportunity to position itself as one of the great tropical and sustainable cities of the world.

It aims to boost Darwin's economic growth through public and private investment, develop social and cultural events, and improve environmental sustainability.

The revitalisation project is expected to commence at the Smith Street and Knuckey Street intersection - a key retail and pedestrian node crossroad within the CBD.

It will then extend along both streets, establishing a pedestrian link to the new China Town Development and the cross-city retail, commercial and civic developments.

Federal funding will contribute to the following elements:

•  Provide both new and upgraded infrastructure including street furniture, lighting, paving, drinking fountains, and signage; and


•  Landscape across the CBD will include raised planters, shade structures and large trees, thematic street trees, and garden beds and ground covers.

This funding builds on $313,000 already delivered to the Darwin City Council in new community infrastructure funding this year.

The Rudd Labor Government is working in partnership with local government to fund more than 3,000 community projects across Australia that will support jobs, stimulate local economies and deliver long-term improvements in communities.