The Nan Tien Temple and Essence of Life Youth Group Incorporated, both located in Berkeley, will receive funding to support safety and security.
The Nan Tien Temple will receive $50,000 for the installation of security communication, public announcement equipment and CCTV at the Temple.
Essence of Life will receive $40,000 to upgrade security, fencing and lighting at their premises.
The NSW Government has allocated $15 million over four years to this program, for grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000, as part of its 2023 election commitment.
These grants are in addition to planning changes introduced in NSW in late 2024 which make it easier for places of public worship to upgrade security.
These changes allow places of public worship to undertake most security upgrades without the need to lodge a Development Application (DA).
Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:
"The Nan Tien Temple and Essence of Life Youth Group have been an important part of the social fabric here in the Wollongong electorate for a long time.
"They both continue to demonstrate a strong resolve to maintain and strengthen social cohesion in our multi-faith, multicultural community here in Wollongong.
"It's important that people feel safe when attending their places of worship. It's why I changed planning laws to make security upgrades at places of worship easier and it's why these grants are so important to faith communities.
"The NSW Government is getting behind our faith organisations to support upgrades and other projects that will make the religious experience safer."
