Archives: Media Releases

GRANTS FOR SHIRE SURF CLUBS

The NSW Government has granted North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club $412,000 for upgrades to its internal pool as well as new solar panels, battery storage and pool heating system.

Wanda Surf Life Saving Club has also been granted $148,000 for its watercraft and surf sports equipment storage system.

The grants are part of the $3.6 million 2021-22 round of the Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.

This follows previous government grants of $570,000 to North Cronulla; $500,000 to Cronulla; $370,000 to Elouera and $400,000 to Wanda, towards facilities upgrades.

I’m delighted that the Government can help iconic institutions whose dedicated volunteers donate tens of thousands of hours each year to patrolling the beach to keep us safe, educating our kids on water safety and promoting healthy, active lifestyles for so many.

It’s important that the clubs have the modern facilities they need to do this work.

GRANTS TO GROW SPORT IN CRONULLA

Nine local sporting organisations in the Cronulla electorate have received grants under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program.

Grants for the Cronulla electorate total $50,000.

Community sport is a big part of life in our local community in the Shire and I am delighted that hard-working local sporting organisations will benefit from these grants.

One of the focuses of the program is to improve access to sport for women and girls, so I am pleased to see the Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association will use their grant to help run a gala and development day for female players.

The following organisations have been successful in their applications for grants in 2022:

  • Caringbah Redbacks Football Club – repaint clubhouse
  • Port Hacking Croquet Club – park shelter and concrete installation
  • South Cronulla Bowling and Recreation Club – replacement scoreboards
  • Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association – female gala and development day
  • Cronulla Sharks Boardriders – equipment trailer
  • Cronulla Seagulls Football Club – all weather canteen upgrade
  • Cronulla Sutherland Water Polo Club – new balls and goals for training
  • St George and Sutherland Brewers Sports Club – replacement playing equipment
  • Port Hacking Open Sailing Club – community security.

UPDATED PLANS FOR SUTHERLAND TO CRONULLA ACTIVE TRANSPORT LINK

Walking and bike riding will be safer and more convenient in Sydney’s south under updated plans for the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL).

Finalisation of the route selection from Jackson Avenue Miranda to Gannons Road Caringbah will allow construction to begin in early 2023.

The NSW Government is delivering on its promise to build this important walking and cycling path which will connect key destinations with schools, shops, restaurants, entertainment precincts and transport hubs.

It’s important we get this critical piece of local infrastructure right, so I’m pleased Transport for NSW will now look at different options for the western component.

Following community feedback Transport for NSW had decided not to proceed with the route option along Oak Road and Flora Street in Kirrawee.

Transport for NSW is now investigating an alternative route that runs along Bath Road, Avery Avenue and other suburban streets and reserves south of the rail corridor.

Routes through Miranda between Sylvania Road and Jackson Avenue will also be investigated to ensure the project delivers for the entire community.

Transport for NSW expects to have planning approval for Jackson Ave to Gannons Road route shortly. It will undertake a full assessment of the western component of Stage 2 of the link, consult with the community and seek planning approval towards the end of this year.

Funding has now been approved, for the 2022-23 NSW budget, for planning and construction of the remainder of the SCATL from Gannons Road to Cronulla.

For more information, visit: nswroads.work/SCATL.

2022 COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM NOW OPEN

Applications for the 2022 Community Building Partnership program are now open, with up to a total of $400,000 allocated for projects in the Cronulla electorate.

Not-for-profit groups are encouraged to apply for funding to deliver social, environmental and recreational outcomes. Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000.

Local organisations and clubs to apply for funding to assist with projects such as the construction and maintenance of community infrastructure, and purchase of equipment or vehicles.

Applications close at 5:00pm Friday 10 June 2022.

The program has awarded more than $399 million to over 18,000 projects since it started in 2009.

For more information about the program, please visit www.nsw.gov.au/cbp.

CRONULLA’S NEW EARLY WARNING TECHNOLOGY FOR SHARKS

The NSW Government has rolled out a new listening station to help warn the community about tagged sharks off Cronulla.

The offshore station detects the presence of tagged animals, including white, tiger and bull sharks swimming within a 500 metre radius.

The shark listening station will provide real-time alerts to the public and beach authorities.

When a tagged shark comes close to the coast off Cronulla, everyone using the SharkSmart app or the Twitter page will know about it instantly, including Surf Life Saving NSW and council lifeguards.

The data collected also provides important insights into the movements of the sharks in our waters.

The NSW Government has worked with local authorities to determine the best place for these units.

The listening stations are part of a package of shark mitigation methods to help protect our community. The government has recently announced a $4.4 million boost for additional mitigation methods, as well as ongoing funding of more than $85 million to continue our shark management program until 2026.

The program is the largest in the world and raises the bar when it comes to deploying life-saving shark mitigation technology.

An additional 16 stations will be installed up and down the NSW coast this year, increasing the count to 37.

All beachgoers are being encouraged to be SharkSmart when entering the ocean or estuarine environments and download the SharkSmart app or visit @NSWSharkSmart on Twitter.

For more information, visit sharksmart.nsw.gov.au.

METRO RENEWAL PROJECTS DELIVERING FOR SUTHERLAND SHIRE SCHOOLS

The NSW Government is delivering new and improved educational facilities at schools in the Sutherland Shire with work progressing on the $240 million Metro and Regional Renewal Programs.

The program is investing in more than $8 million across the Shire, including 13 projects in the Cronulla electorate.

Each project includes a government co-contribution of between 50 to 80 per cent for school capital improvement projects, including covered outdoor learning areas, covered walkways, playground, oval and court upgrades and improved staff and administration facilities.

The program is delivering more modern facilities for our students and staff to support quality learning in our schools.

It also delivers improvements to help students enjoy sporting and play activities, as well as facilities such as covered learning areas and walkways to assist school communities to operate effectively in all weather conditions.

Local schools have identified these projects as their highest priority infrastructure needs.

The program is good news for businesses in the Shire with schools using local contractors and suppliers to do the work wherever possible.

The renewal programs are supporting more than 2,600 jobs across regional and metro NSW.

The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion in schools infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Cronulla electorate schools – projects worth $4 million

  • Burraneer Bay Public – playground upgrade
  • Caringbah High – new covered outdoor learning area
  • Caringbah North Public – new car park
  • Caringbah Public – new covered walkways
  • Cronulla High – hall upgrade
  • Cronulla Public – updated communications system
  • Cronulla South Public – new electronic sign, new stage
  • Kirrawee High – staff toilet refurbishment
  • Kurnell Public – sports oval upgrade
  • Laguna Street Public – new covered walkways
  • Woolooware Public – internal roads upgrade
  • Yowie Bay Public – staff / administration facilities upgrade

COURT THERAPY HOUNDS FETCHED BACK TO DUTY AT SUTHERLAND

After a precautionary “paws” due to COVID-19, the loveable Labradors of the NSW Government’s Canine Court Companion Program are back on duty at Sutherland Courthouse.

The affectionate pooches bring comfort to court users who are often experiencing some of the worst days of their lives.

The friendly Labradors have been hounding their volunteer handlers to get back to work and make a difference in our local community once again.

The dogs are back at Sutherland Courthouse three days a week and provide support in publicly accessible areas of the courthouse.

They may also work in response to special requests from police or court professionals to assist where people are particularly anxious.

An evaluation of the program found the therapy dogs have a calming and uplifting effect on victims of crime, as well as court professionals and volunteers, support networks, and the family and friends of people attending court.

Each helpful hound receives up to two years of intensive training with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.

Sutherland is one of nine courthouses were the program operates across regional and metropolitan NSW.

JOHN STOFFELS NAMED CRONULLA SENIOR OF THE YEAR

A 50 year veteran volunteer of community sport and fundraising, John Stoffels, has been named the 2022 Cronulla Senior of the Year on day one of the NSW Seniors Festival.

I announced John as the winner at a celebratory morning tea where the trophy was presented by Minister for Seniors Mark Coure.

John has been passionate about giving people from the Sutherland Shire the opportunity to play and enjoy sport. Over the years he has been a driving force across football, softball and more recently golf, always actively involved in fundraising to provide a better experience and facilities for players.

John’s enthusiasm for a cause is obvious, no more so than in his current role as Chair of the Woolooware Golf Club’s Legacy Committee, where he spearheads the annual push to help the families of fallen or ill veterans.

As an ex-serviceman himself, John throws himself into leading the fundraising effort, helping the club donate significant sums of money even when COVID-19 lockdowns have meant the yearly Legacy golf day couldn’t be held.

John’s passion, commitment and enthusiasm is infectious and has made a big difference to many people involved with both sport and Legacy.

John’s service to sport started with the Sutherland Shire Soccer Football Club, now the Sutherland Sharks Football Club, including a number of years as President, continued with the Sutherland Shire Softball Association where he was the President for more than a decade, and more recently he has been involved with the Sharks Social Golf Club, where he has served as President for almost 10 years.

The other finalists in the Cronulla NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards were:

  • Patricia Cudmore – St Vincent de Paul Society Sutherland Shire regional president
  • John Curtis – NSW State Emergency Service volunteer
  • Michael Douglas – Sutherland Food Services volunteer including past president
  • Ron Griffths – Lilli Pilli Football Club volunteer
  • Betty Jacobs – Kurnell Girl Guides and Kurnell Pensioners’ Club volunteer
  • Chris Murray – NSW State Emergency Service  leading senior operator
  • Norman “Buzz” Piddington – North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club volunteer
  • Neil Reynolds – Caringbah Baptist Church and Skills4Me volunteer
  • Russell Sullivan – Port Hacking Open Sailing Club rear commodore
  • Brian Thompson OAM – Elouera Surf Life Saving Club patron, Tradies director
  • Peter Turbet – Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare volunteer, Fred Hollows Foundation worker and history author.

The awards recognise the invaluable contribution seniors make to so many aspects of community life here in the Shire.

The finalists highlight how fortunate we are to have such incredible, dedicated volunteers in the Sutherland Shire, which makes it such a great place to live.

KURNELL’S REBECCA HINSHELWOOD ANNOUNCED AS 2022 CRONULLA WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Rebecca Hinshelwood of Kurnell has been named as the 2022 Cronulla Woman of the Year.

Rebecca is the President and Deputy Captain of Kurnell Rural Fire Service (RFS) and is one of many women in the Cronulla electorate who make a significant contribution as leaders in our community.

As a leader in the RFS, Rebecca is a great role model for women in an organisation that has traditionally had more male volunteers.

For almost 29 years Rebecca has been a volunteer in the Kurnell RFS, serving on the front line as a firefighter and in a number of senior roles locally.

She has shown great community spirit and dedication to giving back to Kurnell, balancing her volunteer work with raising her three daughters and a career as a nurse.

Rebecca has been committed to regular training and improving her skills and knowledge, while gaining valuable experience fighting the 1997, 2001 and 2019-20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires.

This award is due recognition of her commitment and the valuable role she plays in steering an essential local service.

It is also an opportunity to again appreciate and recognise the sacrifices Rebecca and all RFS volunteers and their families make to help keep our community safe.

Rebecca has continued the legacy of her father, the late David Lavis, who was Kurnell RFS captain for 17 years in a 30 year career with the organisation. 

Rebecca serves in the Kurnell RFS alongside her husband David Hinshelwood who is the brigade Captain.

CARINGBAH SNACK CRUSADER CROWNED THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ AT NSW WOMEN’S WEEK

Caringbah nine-year-old Lennox Wade, the founder of kids’ food charity Snacktember, has been named the One to Watch at the NSW Women of the Year Awards.

Lennox was presented with the award today at the Sydney Opera House at a ceremony I attended along with Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor.

She was one of ten finalists for the award, which recognises girls and young women aged 7 to 17 who demonstrate a single act or ongoing acts of courage, strength, determination and kindness to help and support others.

Lennox started Snacktember when just three years old at preschool with a single food collection box, when her mum complained about uneaten snacks in their pantry.

Five years later she has worked with OzHarvest to collect more than 500 kilograms of snacks to share with children in need.

I was delighted to see Lennox’s dedication and compassion recognised. She has inspired people all over Australia to get behind Snacktember with her generosity and passion for helping kids who don’t have access to snack food.

She was driven to set up Snacktember after learning at preschool that many children don’t get to enjoy a tasty lunch each day and she hasn’t looked back since.

It is heart-warming to have a young person like Lennox, so dedicated to helping others, as part of our Sutherland Shire community and we celebrate Lennox’s achievements with her.

I hope this award will raise awareness of Snacktember and help her provide food for even more kids.

Lennox is a credit to her family and her school community at Caringbah North Public School and a well-deserved winner of this award.