Infrastructure and Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese and Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, today announced the Rudd Labor Government would offer $3 million for Stage One of the Katherine regional cultural precinct in the Northern Territory.

The Government’s strategic contribution will help bring this $7.8 million project together.

It will encourage economic and tourism investment in Katherine by delivering a high quality regional facility to hold conferences, functions, exhibitions, performing arts events and ceremonies.

Katherine Town Council has identified gaps in cultural infrastructure, including the lack of a regional standard gallery for Indigenous art and an outdoor performance venue.

The funding is part of the Rudd Government’s $800 million Community Infrastructure Program – the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

Through the Rudd Government’s economic stimulus package, we are investing in community and sporting facilities like this to support jobs and stimulate local economies during the global economic recession.

Once completed, the overall project will deliver a suitable venue for local, regional and national events, and a gallery for the display of Indigenous art.

Federal funding will contribute to Stage One of the project, which is expected to include: 

•  Galleries and associated storerooms; 


•  Entrance, foyer and external landscaping; 


•  Utility areas such as kitchen, loading dock and amenities; 


•  Cafe outlet to accommodate events; and


•  Wet studio area to encourage use of the centre for the production of art

This funding is in addition to nearly $195,000 the Rudd Government has already delivered towards upgrading the children’s playground in Katherine.

Nearly 70 per cent of the stimulus package is infrastructure, with construction projects already underway.

More than 3,000 projects are being funded by the Government’s Community Infrastructure Program across Australia to support jobs and benefit communities.