Nationals' candidate for Lyne Alison Penfold is ready to go to work to keep locals safe in emergencies, locking in $1 million support for much-needed upgrades to Club North Haven to create a full-facility Emergency Evacuation Centre for nearby communities.
Ms Penfold and former Member for Lyne, the Hon Dr David Gillespie, have worked with the club to secure the funding to provide a secure and safe shelter and base of operations in times of natural disaster. The full upgrade project has an estimated cost of $2 million, with the club seeking a 50 per cent contribution, which Ms Penfold has secured if elected as part of a Coalition Government.
The upgrade to create a multi-purpose, full-scale evacuation centre will include improvements to the existing auditorium to create new dedicated spaces for emergency services, evacuees, provision of audio-visual equipment and broadcasting facilities.
Ms Penfold said other works would include building undercover walkways from the car park to the club building and a breakout area for children.
"The club became a central place of shelter and sustenance for locals from Laurieton, West Haven, North Haven, Dunbogan, Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills during the terrible floods of 2021," Ms Penfold said.
"It subsequently received official accreditation as an Emergency Evacuation Centre, acknowledging the need for a designed-for-purpose and functional hub which can offer respite, shelter and a central point of command for authorities during times of natural disaster and other emergency situations. Today's commitment by The Nationals in Government will help bring this long-held vision to reality."
Ms Penfold said the upgrade was part of her big-picture plan to create stronger, safer and better communities for Lyne through investment in social infrastructure.
"David Gillespie has been a vocal and local champion for Lyne, and I am committed to building on his legacy of delivering for our region - whether it's help for grassroots community groups, funding for major infrastructure projects or standing up for our local way of life," she said.
"Right now, our country and local communities need strong, decisive and 'Australia-first' leadership at the national and local level, and that is what I am determined to deliver. The only way to turn this country around and ensure that our area gets the resources and services we need is to Vote 1 for Alison Penfold."
