By Angela Dorizas

Local government will receive a $100 million funding boost for community infrastructure, Minister for Regional Australia and Local Government, Simon Crean, has announced.

The new funding is the third and final round of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP), which the Government is now withdrawing.

Mr Crean said more than 5000 projects were underway or had been completed since the RLCIP was introduced in 2008.

“This $100 million allocation is the final tranche of a record investment of more than $1.1 billion investment in community infrastructure and is part of the Government’s broad stimulus package,” Mr Crean said in a statement.

“The program supported thousands of jobs across the nation during the global financial crisis and will continue to do so with this round of shovel-ready projects.”

Mr Crean said the final round of funding would help councils build key community infrastructure such as playgrounds, sporting fields, libraries, community halls and swimming pools.

The funding has been allocated according to population, location and growth indicators, he added. Councils submitted project proposals based on the national allocation.

Allocated funding will support more than 500 projects in New South Wales; 220 projects in Victoria; 160 projects in Queensland; 130 projects in South Australia; 60 projects in Tasmania; 20 projects in the Northern Territory; and three projects in the Australian Capital Territory.