ALISON BYRNES MP
MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will help complete the Southern Suburbs Community Centre & Library in Warrawong, with a $10 million commitment to the project made today.
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 to meet our community's needs for decades to come.
This centre will be a place for the community to gather, learn and play. Whether you’re a budding bookworm picking up your next novel, taking up a sustainable craft class or a local parent dropping your kids off for a school holiday program, this centre will be a bustling community hub for the southern suburbs.
This facility 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 former Liberal National Government forced the closure of the Warrawong Services Australia Centre in 2018, and since then the community has been waiting for a community hub that is fit for purpose.
This 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 provide 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. It’s services like this that build a sense of trust within our community, where locals can ask for the help 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 – and identifies Warrawong as one of the regions strategic 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 continues to thrive and expand.
The Albanese Labor Government understands the importance of this project, and if re-elected, we will continue our work to build a better Illawarra, for all Australians.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“The Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library is a fantastic example of what we can achieve when we invest in our communities.
“This centre will be more than just a building – it’s a place where people can come together, connect, and build a stronger community. 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. Alison has been a strong voice for her community, and her hard work has been crucial in advocating for this important infrastructure.
“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.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes:
“I am absolutely delighted that the Albanese Labor Government has heard our call and is supporting this much needed community centre and library for our southern suburbs. I know just how vital this project is for our community, and I’ve never lost sight of that.
“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.”
