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$5.57 million Federal Funding for Baldivis Library

Local Member of Federal parliament Gary Gray yesterday announced that the City of Rockingham will receive $5.57 million to construct a library and community centre in Baldivis.

“The Baldivis Library is a project that the City of Rockingham has been committed to that will provide real benefit to the local community,” Mr Gray said.

“It will provide the local community with a much-needed dedicated space where they can access social and educational facilities.

“The $11.15 million project, which is due for completion in mid 2013, involves the construction of a library and community centre and outdoor spaces within the Baldivis Town Centre.

“It will house facilities that support the local community, including the provision of a contemporary library, e-training areas, early childhood and youth activity areas, study and outdoor reading spaces.

“The Baldivis library has been a contentious issue, but I am happy that taxpayers’ funds have been allocated under the proper processes.

“This project has been approved under the first round of the Regional Development Australia Fund ahead of many other competitive bids for worthwhile projects across Australia and in our region.

“The approval of this project is confirmation of the importance it will have in supporting our community.
“During my time as local member the government has delivered more than 250 projects across the electorate of Brand worth more than $140 million.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels was elated at news of the funding: "This is wonderful news for the City of Rockingham and the community of Baldivis. The Baldivis Library and Community Centre has been one of our major priorities along with the Mundijong road extension, which the Federal Government is also supporting, and is an important piece of infrastructure,” Mr Sammels said.

“I would like to sincerely thank Gary Gray for his efforts in championing the cause, as well as all others who have worked hard to bring the dream for a library in Baldivis to reality.”  

The Baldivis library and Community Centre will receive funding as part of Round One of the Regional Development Australia
Fund in which more than 550 applications were received for $150 million made available for investment-ready projects that support the growth of local communities across the country. 

“I congratulate the City of Rockingham on their hard work and dedication to developing the project and staying focused.
“To make a project like this become a reality takes thought, effort, creativity and heart; the City of Rockingham has all of these things. Baldivis is a wonderful and growing community desperately in need of local amenity.

“Mayor Sammels and I worked very hard to put together the funding for this excellent project that will benefit everyone in our local community,” Mr Gray said.  

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