From the Lord Mayor's Office
Focusing on the Southern Suburbs Community Centre & Library
Wollongong Council is determined to deliver the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library for the residents of Warrawong and surrounding suburbs. That is why there has been significant works around the King Street site recently as we started work to knock down the unsightly buildings and clear the site for this important project. I’m sure locals will agree, these buildings were an eyesore and, by removing the empty buildings and clearing the land, we’re able to carry out detailed site investigations.
This facility will provide a much-needed hub for community service delivery, social connection and lifelong learning for the people of Warrawong and surrounds. We also acknowledge that this facility is vital for a growing community which often faces challenges with disadvantage.
You may have heard this recently that this project has been impacted by escalations in the cost of materials, labour and construction. Compounding this challenge is our disappointment that recent requests for Federal Government contributions were unsuccessful. We had sought $15M towards the Centre and $10M for the surrounding streetscape, for connecting pathways and raised crossings, which would connect the centre with the various shopping centres, along with the proposed 1300 new homes in Warrawong Plaza and the Warrawong Parklands. This would have assisted in revitalising Warrawong’s urban environment and improved activation of the town centre, which I know would be welcomed by many in the community.
We believe the residents of this area deserve a community facility which meets their needs now and into the future. That is why, despite recent funding setbacks, we will continue to look for other funding opportunities and will review our own budget to ensure that this vital Community Centre and Library is delivered.
This project, along with the proposed Helensburgh Community Centre and Library, remain a key deliverable for this term of Council.
