Fiona Phillips MP has matched the pledge of support for $5.5 million in funding for the Gerringong Surf Lifesaving Club’s new clubhouse, made by Liberal candidate Andrew Constance earlier this month (Liberals commit $5.5m to Gerringong SLSC).

“We will support the application under the Building Better Regions Fund (BBR) and sign off on it in Government,” says Mrs Phillips.

The Club is understandably delighted by the news.

“The Club is completely rapt with this news and thankful to Fiona and the Labor Party for matching the funding commitment,” says Gerringong SLSC’s Richard Paine.

“We are desperately in need of a new facility and this will allow us to fulfill our duty of keeping the community safe.

“It will be a huge boost in the arm for the Club, and we are thankful these commitments have been made.”

The Bugle has established that while the Club has not formally applied for the latest round of BBR funding, it has supplied detail information to Canberra after a visit by Andrew Constance and Senator Marise Payne, the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The DA is awaiting approval

Mr Constance does not see bypassing the process as pork barrelling, “GSLSC is a must build because of the fact it isn’t just a surf club but a community hub in times of need.

“It is hard to knock back something that is critical and leave it for the bureaucrats to decide.

“Bureaucracy doesn’t run the country, democratically elected members of parliament do.

“We shouldn’t shy away from the fact that during an election campaign, major parties are going to be putting in place a plan for Gilmore that is very focused on the community.”

Other Liberal funding promises for Gilmore – notably the Nowra Bypass and $40 million for road upgrades in the Shoalhaven LGA – have been matched by Labor, but today brings the news that a new Headspace will be located in Shell Cove rather than Kiama.

“As I understand it, the Department is calling for tenders, so it is a good result for the community. It will cover our area, and I am advocating for a presence here,” says Mr Constance.