Federal Member for Gorton Brendan O’Connor today announced that the Rudd Labor Government would offer $3 million to bring forward construction of the new Brimbank Gardens Community Hub in Derrimut.

“Through the Rudd Government’s economic stimulus package, we are able to invest in major projects like this to support local jobs and economies during the global recession.

“We are also investing in infrastructure and services that will deliver long-lasting benefits for a growing population in Melbourne’s west,”  Mr O’Connor said.

The funds have been allocated under the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) in response to a funding application by Council.

Mayor of Brimbank, Cr Troy Atanasovski JP said the Federal Government funding would help the Council to deliver a very important community facility earlier than otherwise would have been possible.

“Council warmly welcomes the investment from the Federal Government into community infrastructure. This funding will help us to deliver a project that will provide significant benefits to the community in one of our fastest growing areas.

“This is an important project because it involves the construction of community space for provision of essential community services for the residents of the developing estates in Derrimut.

“More than 1,000 residents have already moved into the Brimbank Gardens estate and the surrounding area, with hundreds of new homes currently under construction.

“The Derrimut Community Hub will be a vital element in ensuring the Council can deliver community services to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding population,” Cr Atanasovski said.

Federal Member for Gorton Brendan O’Connor said:

” This funding builds on $1.64 million in funding that the Rudd Government has already delivered to Brimbank City Council for three local projects this year and brings the Rudd Government investment in the community’s infrastructure to $4.64 million this year.

“This money is in addition to the millions already allocated for the upgrading of all our local schools.

“The Rudd Labor Government has reversed the neglect of the Howard years and is investing in Melbourne’s west at unprecedented levels,” Mr O’Connor said.

When complete, the Derrimut Community Hub will provide community space for a range of services including:

· Long day care, kindergarten services, maternal and child health services, outside of school hours care and playgroups

· Community meeting space for neighbourhood house activities

· Community learning spaces including a fully equipped technology space for adult education and community kitchen for cooking classes

· A sports pavilion for provision of community based physical activitiesConsulting spaces for allied health, counselling and advice services

Brimbank City Council is working in partnership with the State Government’s  Partnerships Victoria in Schools Project to link the Derrimut Community Hub with community facilities planned to be provided as part of the new Derrimut Primary School which is currently under construction. The total cost of the Derrimut Community Hub project for the Council is estimated to be in the vicinity of $5.49 million.

The Federal Government funding will expedite the project’s progress significantly. 

The Council’s 2009/2010 Draft Annual Budget includes provision for $3.59 million towards the Balmoral Park Community Hub and Sports Pavilion project.

Construction of the Derrimut Primary School began earlier this year, and it is expected that construction of the community hub, sports pavilion and car park will commence as soon as possible, with the facilities targeted to be operational by April 2010.