Local Councils in Grayndler are set to receive $1.7 million from the Rudd Labor Governments $300 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The program will boost local economic development and support jobs in communities around the country.

The Government made the formal announcement at the inaugural meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government, held in Canberra this week.

The first meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government is part of the Rudd Government’s commitment to establish a new relationship between the Commonwealth and local governments – a framework for working together, which has not existed before.

Local Mayors from Ashfield, Canterbury, Leichhardt and Marrickville and Councils attended and contributed to the meeting.

“I was pleased to see our Local Mayors in attendance and proud as Minister for Local Government to be establishing this historic partnership.”

“The meeting is a new chapter in the history of local and national government. It is an opportunity to forge a new partnership between the two levels of government”, said Anthony Albanese.

Some examples of community infrastructure that would be eligible for the funding include:

• Social and cultural infrastructure, such as town halls, community centres, libraries, parks, public squares;


• Sport and recreation facilities, such as sporting grounds, stadiums, walking tracks and playgrounds;


• Access facilities, such as footbridges and ramps.

“Funding community infrastructure projects will boost local jobs and our local economy and improve the quality of life for our community,” said Anthony Albanese.