We the undersigned are calling on the Federal Labor Government, the local MP Alison Byrnes and PM Anthony Albanese to fund the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library based in Warrawong. Wollongong City Council has applied for $15m of essential funding for this project, but has been rejected from two rounds of the Commonwealth Growing Regions Program, making it impossible for the project to proceed.
The Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library is a desperately needed project for Warrawong and the southern suburbs of Wollongong. Warrawong is one of the most disadvantaged suburbs in the state and this project holds so much promise to give people the services they need to live fulfilling lives. Moreover, the population in this area is set to grow and Council seeks to make sure that residents have infrastructure that they need. Demolition and removal of the old Warrawong Community Centre is already underway, and some community support services have shifted to alternative temporary premises.
Instead of committing to this essential community service, Labor is taking Wollongong for granted. This is unacceptable. Labor needs to find the funds and deliver this project for the Southern Suburbs.