Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese and Parliamentary Secretary Gary Gray have announced the Rudd Labor Government will offer more than $2.6 million towards the redevelopment of the old Melville Primary School site.

Mr Gray, who was in Melville  to make the announcement, said the funding would come from the Government's $800 million Community Infrastructure Program - the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

Mr Gray said the money would be used to convert the site into a new park, playground and community recreation area in Perth.

This will provide a community recreation area for the 100,000 residents of Melville.

Across Australia, the Rudd Government is investing in community and sporting facilities to support jobs and local economies during the global economic recession.

Mr Albanese said that the $5 million Melville Park and Community Meeting Point project, managed by the City of Melville, would create practical opportunities to support jobs, including during major earth works and construction of the grounds.

In 2008, the City of Melville purchased the old Melville primary school site to convert it into an activity park with landscaped gardens and a playground area. The redevelopment project will include:

•  Grassed terraces as informal seating;


•  Picnic areas;


•  Barbecue facilities:


•  A network of footpaths and boardwalks; and


•  Lighting

In addition, the project will incorporate environmental initiatives including storm water collection for irrigation of existing vegetation, bushland rehabilitation, and a mass planting program.

City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said that partnerships between different tiers of government were essential in helping to realise the aspirations of local communities.

"The City of Melville greatly appreciates the Federal Government's contribution to this significant project, which we expect to be an attractive, safe and accessible open space for the whole of the city and of the region." Mayor Aubrey said.

Mr Albanese said that this funding would build on more than $375,000 we have already provided for five local infrastructure projects in the City of Melville.

More than 3,000 community projects are being funded through the Government's Community Infrastructure Program across Australia to support jobs.