27 April 2009
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
The Hon Peter Garrett AM
Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Mr Albanese and Mr Garrett made the announcement at Hensley Athletic Field in Sydney’s east today with Mayor Ron Hoenig.
The funding is part of the Government’s $800 million Community Infrastructure Program – the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.
The Rudd Government is investing in major community infrastructure to support jobs and stimulate local economies during the global economic recession.
The project, which is being managed by the Council of the City of Botany Bay, will undertake major upgrades to track and field equipment.
It will aim to refurbish the field to comply with International Amateur Athletics Federation standards.
The overall project is expected to include:
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resurfacing the track with a new synthetic surface;
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expanding the existing seven-lane track to eight lanes;
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expanding the high jump fan;
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building new jump pits;
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upgrading amenities to current standards, including disability access; and
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installing safety rails on the grandstand.
These upgrades will help meet local demand for sport, including more than 640 Little Athletics participants who use the field very week.
The field will also have the potential to serve the more than 100 schools in south-eastern Sydney.
This funding builds on nearly $220,000 already delivered in March 2009 to City of Botany Bay for a local project under the Community Infrastructure Program.
The Rudd Government is working in partnership with local government to fund more than 3,000 community projects across Australia that will support jobs, stimulate local economies and deliver long-term benefits for communities.