Big funding for infrastructure boost

By Melissa Meehan
MORE than $500,000 in Federal funding has been made available to the City of Greater Dandenong to upgrade or build new community facilities such as libraries, community centres and sports grounds.
Infrastructure and Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese and local MP Alan Griffin announced that $569,000 would be made available as part of the $220 million boost to the Community Infrastructure Program announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday.
“Today’s announcement builds on $8,670,000 already provided to Greater Dandenong City Council since the establishment of the Community Infrastructure Program just eight months ago,” Mr Albanese said.
Mr Griffin said the government was working with councils across his electorate to modernise community infrastructure and “equip the sector with the tools essential to long-term financial sustainability”.
A spokeswoman for the City of Greater Dandenong said the council welcomed the funding boost.
“The $569,000 the council has been allocated will be of enormous value to the City of Greater Dandenong,” she said.
“While the council was yet to decide what the money would be spent on it would give high priority to increasing community access and use of existing facilities.