Community Infrastructure Projects Announced

The Federal Government has announced the first projects funded under its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.
The Projects announced by the Australian Government provide significant funding to three councils - Queanbeyan City Council in NSW, and the Sunshine Coast, and the Toowoomba and Dalby Regional Councils in Queensland.

The Queanbeyan City Council will receive funding for the following local projects:

* $170,000 to upgrade the Queanbeyan Showground;

* $290,000 to replace the kiosk, change room and storage room at Riverside Oval;

* $90,000 to upgrade Queanbeyan Museum;

* $80,000 to construct a walkway over Glenrock Creek;

* $60,000 for the construction of storage facilities at David Madew Oval;

* $20,000 to construct a reconciliation area at Queanbeyan Park;

* $8,500 to upgrade the Queanbeyan and District Basketball stadium; and

* $2,500 to build a cubby house and activity centre for the Waratah Pre-School.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council will receive $1,345,000 for projects across the region. They are:

* $311,000 to upgrade Maple Street in Maleny;

* $296,000 towards the Nambour Streetscape Hub project;

* $296,000 to build the Peregian Beach Community House;

* $246,000 to construct a walkway and cycleway along the Noosa River between Noosaville and Tewantin; and

* $196,000 to refurbish the Cotton Tree Park Shelter in Maroochydore.

The funding provided to the Toowoomba and Dalby Regional Councils are for 49 infrastructure projects in regional communities. Projects being funded include:

* $300,000 for a stage at the Queens Park amphitheatre in Toowoomba;

* $259,000 to upgrade the Dalby streetscape;

* $34,000 for solar lights at Lions Park in Hodgson Vale; and

* $50,000 for additional walkways along Myall Creek.

Minister Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said that the Australian Government was determined to act decisively with local communities to support jobs and improve the quality of local infrastructure, stating "this program is the single largest investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history."

More than 3,600 projects have been submitted under the first round of the Community Infrastructure Program. More council projects will be announced as they are approved shortly.