This funding will deliver much-needed improvements to local infrastructure ranging from the purchase of a ride mower to help maintain a local sporting field, through to facility upgrades including the installation of rooftop solar panels, field drainage, and the fit out of a discount food outlet.

Food for Life Community Care Inc will receive $22,973 to assist with the purchase of shelving, fridges and freezers to set up a warehouse style discounted food outlet in Unanderra, whilst Hayes Park P&C Association have secured $12,500 to purchase and install drinking fountains and bottle refill stations at Hayes Park Public School.

More than $1.3 million worth of applications were submitted within the Wollongong electorate for the $300,000 of funding available under the 2023 Community Building Partnership program.

The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 19,700 community projects across New South Wales since its inception, under a NSW Labor Government in 2009.

The full list of successful projects in the Wollongong electorate for the 2023 round are:

• Wollongong United Football Club awarded $8,000 for the purchase of a ride-on mower.

• George Cross Falcons Community Centre Inc. awarded $10,000 for a new industrial oven.

• Wollongong Workshop Theatre awarded $9,614 for theatre roof repairs.

• Big Fat Smile awarded $12,000 to install outdoor blinds at Cobblers Hill Community Preschool.

• Greenacres Disability Service awarded $20,000 to install covered awnings and all weather vehicle pick up area at their hub in North Wollongong.

• Hayes Park P&C Association awarded $12,500 to install drinking water fountains and bottle refill stations at Hayes Park Public School.

• Greek Orthodox Community of Illawarra Saint Nektarios awarded $25,000 for the maintenance of St Nektarios Church and community hall.

• Cringila Children’s House Inc. awarded $18,841 for new flooring.

• Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Ltd awarded $8,000 for new toilet facilities at MCCI premises in Wollongong CBD.

• CareSouth awarded $22,750 for the supply and installation of a new rooftop solar power system.

• Lakeside Lions Junior Soccer Club Inc. awarded $17,000 for field drainage at Webb Park in Kanahooka.

• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) awarded $25,000 for an upgrade to the outdoor area at its University of Wollongong campus.

• Corrimal High School P&C Association awarded $36,000 for the purchase and installation of a new audio-visual presentation system at Corrimal High School.

• IYC Sailing Inc. awarded $8,000 for the purchase of equipment storage containers.

• The Illawarra Community Housing Trust awarded $5,000 to purchase a trailer.

• KU Children’s Services awarded $5,792 for the purchase of a hydraulic nappy change table.

• Port Kembla Sailing Club Co-Operative Ltd. awarded $18,000 for the refurbishment of Port Kembla Sailing Club.

• Illawarra Basketball Association Ltd awarded $15,530 for a scoreboard upgrade at The Snakepit.

• Food for Life Community Care Inc. awarded $22,973 for the fit-out of a new discounted food outlet in Unanderra.

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:

“Congratulations to all of the local organisations that were successful in their applications.

“I’m really looking forward to following the progress of these projects and seeing how they make a positive impact in our local community.

“One of the best things about my role as a local MP is being able to give back to my community by working with local community and sporting groups to bring their long awaited projects to life.

“Over the last eight years the Community Building Partnerships program has injected more than $2.3 million in funding to support more than 140 local projects.”