Marine Rescue’s Port Kembla vessel at Wollongong Harbour. Photo: Marine Rescue NSW.
Sixteen community-driven infrastructure projects across Wollongong will benefit from a share in $450,000 in funding as part of the 2025 Community Building Partnerships Program (CBP) that will deliver long-awaited upgrades to facilities, equipment and infrastructure to strengthen essential services and community spaces.
Among the recipients of the NSW Government grants is the Illawarra Basketball Association ($27,585 for resurfacing of the playing courts at The Snakepit), the Shepherd Centre – Paediatric Audiology Australia ($46,936 to upgrade its Wollongong premises), and Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW ( $69,504 to purchase replacement engines for Port Kembla Marine Rescue’s PK31 rescue vessel).
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully congratulated the 16 organisations, which impact a wide cross-section of the community.
“This funding will help bring much-needed upgrades to local facilities and I am excited to follow the progress of these projects and see the positive difference they’ll make in our community,” Mr Scully said.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role is working alongside community and sporting groups to help bring long-awaited initiatives to life.
“It’s always a privilege to support projects that strengthen and uplift our local area.”
Since its launch in 2009, the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 22,400 community projects across NSW — and Wollongong has proudly been part of that story.
“It’s great to see this grassroots funding backing so many community-driven projects that truly benefit the people of Wollongong,” he said.
“Since 2016, I’ve helped to secure over $2.7 million in funding under the Community Building Partnership program, for over 150 local projects.”
Other successful community-focused project recipients in the Wollongong electorate included the Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services, which has been awarded $30,000 for the purchase of a vehicle, and Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI), which has been awarded $18,672 to purchase and install solar panels for a women’s refuge.
Gilmore Park Tennis Club Inc has received $46,730 to resurface the tennis courts at Gilmore Park in West Wollongong, and Greenacres Disability Service has received $30,000 to purchase a shrink-wrapping machine to support its social enterprise.
In addition, funds were granted to Wollongong Meals on Wheels, Western Suburbs Leagues Club Illawarra Ltd for accessibility upgrades at Port Kembla Golf Club, Maronite Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Lebanon Wollongong for upgrades at the Maronite Catholic Church in Lake Heights, George Cross Falcons Club Inc, St Mark’s Anglican Church in Wollongong, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Big Fat Smile Group Ltd for paint refresh of the Stewart Street Community Preschool, East Coast Heritage Rail, and Wollongong Baptist Church.
Not-for-profit organisations and sporting groups were eligible to apply for grants this year, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with up to $450,000 allocated to support projects in the Wollongong electorate.
The 2025 CBP round was highly competitive, with almost $2 million worth of applications for more than 50 projects received from organisations within the Wollongong electorate.
