The region's tradespeople are set to receive a jobs boost under the Federal Government's $650 million Local Jobs Fund announced yesterday.
The Illawarra was just one of two regions in the state and seven across the country to be targeted for the funding, which includes the appointment of a local employment co-ordinator to oversee new infrastructure projects and liaise with employers.
Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird said that while Mr Rudd's $900 stimulus bonus was aimed at jobs in the retail sector, the newly formed Jobs and Training Compact would be aimed at generating and retaining employment in the trades.
The Illawarra's schools will also benefit under the plan, as almost $9 million was allocated for minor infrastructure and refurbishment projects at more than 70 schools.
Ms Bird and Federal Member for Throsby Jennie George have also drawn up a short-list of infrastructure projects that could be funded under the program, including the North Beach Bathers' Pavilion, a bicycle pathway around Lake Illawarra and a new outdoor seating and teaching area for the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium.
Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and former union boss Bill Kelty will reprise their roles from the early 1990s, when they travelled around the country in a bid to create 60,000 jobs, and will visit the seven regions targeted under the new funding to work with the soon-to-be appointed local employment co-ordinator.
The co-ordinator will work with employers and not-for-profit organisations to identify new job opportunities.
The Jobs Fund includes three streams.
Local Jobs: $300 million to invest in community projects which help protect the environment or promote sustainability.
Get Communities Working: $200 million for investments in local councils and not-for-profit projects to upgrade vital community facilities and build community capacity.
Infrastructure Employment Projects: $150 million for the construction of local infrastructure to create immediate jobs.
Illawarra and South Coast schools to receive funding.
Albion Park High School $200,000
Albion Park Public School $200,000
Albion Park Rail Public School $200,000
Austinmer Public School $125,000
Avoca Public School $50,000
Balarang Public School $150,000
Barrack Heights Public School $125,000
Bellambi Public School $125,000
Berkeley Public School $150,000
Berkeley West Public School $125,000
Berry Public School $125,000
Bomaderry Public School $125,000
Budawang School $50,000
Bulli High School $200,000
Burrawang Public School $50,000
Callala Public School $125,000
Cambewarra Public School $125,000
Cedars Christian College $200,000
Coledale Public School $75,000
Corpus Christi Catholic High School $200,000
Corrimal East Public School $125,000
Culburra Public School $125,000
Dapto High School $200,000
Edmund Rice College $200,000
Elonora Montessori School $75,000
Farmborough Road Public School $125,000
Gwynneville Public School $125,000
Havenlee School $50,000
Holy Spirit College $200,000
Huskisson Public School $75,000
Illawarra Christian School $95,649
The Illawarra Grammar School $200,000
Illawarra Senior College $125,000
Illawarra Sports High School $200,000
Illawarra Sule College $19,800
Jamberoo Public School $125,000
Kanahooka High School $200,000
Kangaloon Public School $50,000
Keiraville Public School $125,000
Kemblawarra Public School $75,000
Kiama High School $200,000
Koonawarra Public School $150,000
Lake Heights Public School $75,000
Milton Public School $200,000
Moss Vale High School $200,000
Mt Pleasant Public School $75,000
Mt St Thomas Public School $125,000
Mt Warrigal Public School $125,000
Nareena Hills Public School $125,000
Nowra Anglican College $200,000
Nowra Hill Public School $75,000
Oak Flats Public School $200,000
Para Meadows School $75,000
Peterborough School $75,000
Pleasant Hills Public School $50,000
Primbee Public School $75,000
Shellharbour Anglican College $200,000
Shellharbour Public School $200,000
Shoalhaven Heads Public School $125,000
Smiths Hill High School $200,000
South Coast School for Children with Autism $75,000
St Columbkille's School $150,000
St Francis of Assisi School $125,00
St John Vianney's School $150,000
St Joseph's School $125,000
St Joseph's Regional High School $200,000
St Mary Star of the Sea College $200,000
St Paul's School $150,000
St Pius X School $150,000
St Therese's School $150,000
Stella Maris School $150,000
Sutton Forest Public School $50,000
Tongarra Campus $104,352
Towradgi Public School $75,000
Vincentia High School $200,000
Warilla North Public School $75,000
Warilla Public School $125,000
Warrawong Public School $125,000
Windang Public School $125,000
Wollongong Public School $150,000
Wollongong West Public School $125,000
Woniora Road School $50,000
Woonona Public School $150,000
For the full list of schools receiving round one funding, go to http://home.deewr.gov.au/welcome1 .htm
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