The old Warrawong Community Centre has been demolished to make way for the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library. Photo: Mitch Jennings.
The Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library project in Warrawong will score $10 million from the Federal Government if Labor is reelected.
The commitment to the project was made on Friday (21 February).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the centre would be a key hub for the high-growth area.
“This centre will be more than just a building – it’s a place where people can come together, connect, and build a stronger community,” he said.
“It’s about ensuring everyone has access to the services and spaces they need to thrive.
“I want to thank Alison Byrnes for her tireless advocacy and dedication to this project.
“If re-elected, my government will invest $10 million to this project because we believe in delivering for communities like Warrawong, making sure local residents have the facilities they need, where they need them.”
The facility, which will be built and managed by Wollongong City Council, will be a high-quality space that offers a wide range of community services, in an inclusive, safe, welcoming and accessible environment.
It will also play a crucial role in supporting school kids by providing access to educational resources, a safe learning space, and opportunities for personal growth in an area with some of the nation’s highest educational disadvantage.
The new centre will connect locals with reliable internet to access things like online government services and accommodate local outreach services like the Warrawong Resident’s Forum (WRF), who provide invaluable support to the local community.
WRF provides a range of supports from early intervention through to emergency relief, including government service referrals, assessments, and free advocacy.
The team and their volunteers provide free community lunches, food parcels, vouchers and laundry services.
Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes said she was delighted the Federal Government would support the construction.
“I know just how vital this project is for our community, and I’ve never lost sight of that,” she said.
“I will not stop advocating until the doors are open and the residents of Berkeley, Lake Heights, Cringila, Warrawong, Port Kembla, Primbee and Windang are benefiting from this overdue but well-deserved investment.
“I look forward to seeing the Southern Suburbs Community Centre & Library come to life, and be a space where people come to learn, play, socialise and access the services that they need.”
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 outlines the projected regional growth and the need to deliver at least 58,000 homes by 2041.
In the plan Warrawong has been identified as one of the region’s strategic growth centres.
The Southern Suburbs Community Centre & Library will provide the vital social infrastructure needed to cater for increased demand for community services as the southern suburbs continue to expand.
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