Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, joined the Harden community today to celebrate the official opening of their newly upgraded Murrumburrah Central Business District.

Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, said the Rudd Labor Government provided $100,000 to the Harden Shire Council for the project from the $1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).

“The RLCIP is a key part of our Economic Stimulus Plan, delivering local jobs in communities across Australia by building infrastructure for the long term,” Mr Albanese said.

“Importantly, seven jobs were supported during construction of the streetscape project, providing a boost to the local economy.”

Dr Stephens said the Murrumburrah project involved reconstruction of pathways and landscaping in the area – providing significant improvements to the local precinct.

“New trees and garden beds have also been planted to provide a nicer rest stop for visitors and local residents,” Dr Stephens said.

“This project has been planned by the community and will also provide traffic calming measures throughout the area to slow the traffic passing through the CBD, making it a safer place for pedestrians.”

Mr Albanese said in partnership with every council in the country, the Rudd Labor Government was delivering more than 4,800 small and larger scale building projects like these, including new and refurbished public libraries, sporting facilities, parks and playgrounds, and child care centres.

“In fact, we are making the single largest federal investment in community infrastructure through the RLCIP,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese and Dr Stephens congratulated the Harden Shire Council, and the local community for helping deliver the project, effectively building a stronger region for the future.