Mr Nairn said that the Australian Government funds would assist the National Theatre Community Centre to update its audio equipment.

"The National Theatre Community Centre is the biggest public hall for local community use and has been used by various community groups for years. But the current sound system has been proving increasingly inadequate to meet the demands of regular patrons and was in urgent need of an upgrade," Mr Nairn said.

"This project will replace the old system with a much needed new sound system."

Mr Nairn congratulated the local community for working together to access Regional Partnerships programme funding.

"I would particularly like to thank the local Area Consultative Committee for helping to bring this project to fruition," he said.

The Regional Partnerships programme continues the Australian Government's approach of working with local communities to support their ideas. A total of $261.7 million is available under the Regional Partnerships programme from 2007-08 to 2010-11.

Mr Nairn said that the Regional Partnerships programme would deliver benefits to communities well into the future, not only from programme funding, but from the higher levels of economic activity and improved social amenity which the programme was generating.

Communities should contact their local Area Consultative Committee if they wish to seek funding through the Regional Partnerships programme. For further information go to www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au or www.acc.gov.au