Last week the Minister for Infrastructure and Local Govern-ment, Anthony Albanese, and Member for Macquarie, Bob Debus, announced that Oberon Council has been offered $99,000 to assist it to build new community facilities such as libraries, community centres and sports grounds or to upgrade existing ones.

Mr Albanese said the new funding has been made available following the $220 million boost to the Community Infrastructure Program announced by the Prime Minister at the second meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government.

“This announcement builds on $267,000 already provided to Oberon Council since the establishment of the Community Infrastructure Program just eight months ago,” said Mr Albanese.

“It is also in addition to the regular funding they receive from our Roads to Recovery Program and Financial Assistance Grants.”

Mr Debus said the Government is working with councils across his electorate to modernise the nation’s community infrastructure and equip the sector with the tools essential for long-term financial sustainability.

“Together we are supporting local jobs today by building the infrastructure our communities will need tomorrow,” Mr Debus said.

The extra $220 million will be delivered as follows:

$100 million shared between all of the nation’s councils and shires; and $120 million for larger strategic projects. All councils and shires will have the opportunity to compete for a share of this funding.

“All up, we have now provided the nation’s councils and shires with more than $1 billion since November last year - the largest ever Federal investment,” said Mr Albanese.

Oberon Mayor Keith Sullivan said the council staff was evaluating which project to put the $99,000 towards, and also assessing council's finances to ascertain how much council can contribute towards a new project to match a possible grant from the $120 million offered.