The NSW Government has announced applications for the $1 million Port Kembla Community Investment Fund will open next Monday (20 October) with local groups and business encouraged to apply for grants of up to $250,000.
Grants are available for a range of projects that help activate or enhance the port, boost visitation and tourism, create strong community bonds and increase participation in cultural and artistic life.
The Fund sets out to deliver high-quality projects that:
- foster stronger community bonds
- enhance accessibility
- boost visitation
- increase participation in cultural and artistic life
- enhance public, environmental or business infrastructure.
In the past, the program has delivered projects including the Port Kembla Community Skate Park, which features a new skate bowl, skate space and basketball courts, upgrades to the Port Kembla Surf Club as well as the Keeping Culture Alive Hall upgrade and improved Marine Rescue Port Kembla facilities.
“Port Kembla is a thriving and vibrant community. This fund offers a way for enterprising businesses and community organisations to get a funding boost which supports innovation and activation within this community,” said City of Wollongong Mayor, Tania Brown (pictured, centre).
“I welcome the expansion of the fund to include Cringila, and parts of Warrawong and Lake Heights as a postcode doesn’t define a community, and these suburbs have close and tightknit networks that can come together for the greater good.’’
The program supports projects between $10,000 and $250,000 and applications will open on Monday 20 October 2025 and close on Monday 15 December 2025.
Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce President, Jonathan Crowe said the fund had been a game-changer for the suburb.
“The recent opening of the new Port Kembla Skate Park is a perfect example of how this funding can create spaces that bring people together, energise our community, and give young people a place to connect and be active. We’ve seen firsthand how these projects build pride and momentum in our community,” he said.
“The next round of the Port Kembla Community Infrastructure Fund presents another exciting opportunity to invest in our future. The benefits of previous funding have already made Port Kembla a more welcoming and dynamic place to live, visit and do business. Continued investment like this helps our community thrive.”
To increase opportunities for investment in the Port Kembla area the Government has adjusted the area of eligibility to include the suburbs of Port Kembla, Cringila, and parts of Warrawong and Lake Heights to maximise the benefit to local organisations.
“This fund is about giving communities access to resources that will build a more vibrant community,” said Minister for Illawara and South Coast, Ryan Park.
For further information about the program, including guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/port-kembla-community-investment-fund.
