The Rudd Labor Government will provide $4.9 million to redevelop the Belmore Sportsground in Sydney’s Inner West.

Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, and Tony Burke, Member for Watson, made the announcement at Belmore today with the Mayor of Canterbury City Council Robert Furolo, Chairman of the Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League Club Ray Dibb and President of the Sydney Olympic Football Club George Giannaros.

Mr Albanese said that the project was worth $5.9 million in total.

“It is expected to support 40 jobs during construction, as well as another 10 jobs over the longer term, delivering an economic boost for the Inner West.”

Mr Burke said, “There was a great deal of disappointment when the Bulldogs stopped basing themselves in the local area back in 1998.

“Today's announcement will bring Canterbury Bankstown's most popular sporting team back home.”

The Canterbury City Council project is expected to include:

• Permanent training facilities including a gym, refurbished change rooms, football staff offices, a video conference room and player recreation area for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club;


• Refurbishment of change rooms and amenities for the Sydney Olympic FC;


• Conversion of the existing bar area into a community-use multi-function room;


• Refurbishment and extension of the amenities block servicing Peter Moore Field, used for community sports groups.

Mr Albanese said that the funding was part of our Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, which was delivering a record $1 billion for nearly 5,000 projects across the nation.

“Across Australia, we are building and modernising community facilities in partnership with local governments,” he said.

The funding is conditional upon the council formalising a contract with the Government and meeting relevant conditions.