Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, has announced that the Rudd Labor Government will offer $5 million towards the new community centre project at Doncaster Hill in Melbourne.

Minister Albanese made the announcement with Mayor of Manningham City Council Charles Pick.

The Rudd Government's strategic contribution will kick-start this $33 million project to deliver family, community, education and health services to the Doncaster community.

Federal funding will deliver economic benefits not only through construction jobs but also through increased retail trade for local businesses.

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 package, we are investing in projects like to support local jobs and economies during the global recession.

The Doncaster Hill Community Centre is also about providing a one-stop-shop to help meet growing demand for services in a community with more than 116,000 residents.

The project, managed by Manningham City Council, is expected to provide services for young families, older Australians, schools and community groups. They include:

•  Family services;


•  Childcare;


•  Maternal and child health;


•  Pre-school facilities;


•  Aged care and volunteer services;


•  A community youth activity space;


•  A library, an art gallery, a community arts facility; and


•  A public transport hub and underground car parking.

This recently announced funding builds on nearly $420,000 the Rudd Government has already delivered for nine local projects in the Manningham City Council area.

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

More than 3,000 projects are being funded by the Government's Community Infrastructure Program to support jobs and deliver benefits to local communities.