Maxine McKew, the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Local Government and Member for Bennelong, has announced that the Rudd Labor Government will provide $147,000 to the City of Ryde to build four new netball courts.
“This funding means more and better facilities for 4000 netballers of all ages spread across the 30 clubs of the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association,” said Ms McKew.
“A shortage of courts has meant ERNA has had to schedule shorter games over the last five seasons.”
“When built the new courts will mean ERNA netballers can play full games from 8 to 5 every Saturday – and host bigger and better Sunday carnivals.”
“Netball is our most popular women’s community sport and a really wonderful way for women to keep fit and healthy.”
“Importantly too, this project is expected to support up to 11 jobs during construction.”
The announcement is particularly timely as Ms McKew will join Ryde Mayor and ERNA Patron Michael Butterworth to open the netball season at Meadowbank on Saturday the 17th of April.
Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government said the new courts project were being delivered under the Rudd Government’s national plan to support jobs in the local economy while delivering lasting benefits for communities.
“We will deliver this funding to the City of Ryde from the second round of our Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP),” said Mr Albanese.
“The project we’ve announced was put forward by the City of Ryde as a local community priority.”
Mr Albanese said that in just over a year, the RLCIP had delivered $1 billion to build and renew community facilities across Australia, making it the largest single investment in local infrastructure in the nation’s history.
“Already more than 3,300 community construction projects have either been completed or are underway through the first round of RLCIP.”
“Some of these projects have been on the drawing board for years. By letting local communities decide, the Rudd Government is helping turn the community’s vision into a reality,” said Mr Albanese.
Ms McKew said the new netball courts would join a growing list of community infrastructure projects large and small that were delivering the infrastructure of the future for her community.
“Projects like the new $5 million Ryde Community and Sports Centre at E.L.S.Hall Park and the $2.4 million stormwater re-use project at Epping are significant investments in our community.”
“These projects keep more people working, support our local economy, and importantly, delivers the local infrastructure we need for the future.”
Further information is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/cip/index.aspx
