Sussan Ley MP and PCYC manager Alana Dunn in Griffith. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley has begun her re-election campaign with a visit to Griffith, pledging the local PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) will receive $185,000 in federal funding to fit-out a planned new gymnasium, if a Dutton Liberal-National Government is elected on 3 May.
The promised funds would cover the costs of items such as specialist flooring, tumbling tracks, matting and trampolines.
PCYC is a NSW Police-run community organisation that organises sports and activities for children and young people.
In 2018, the previous Liberal-National NSW government promised a $3 million upgrade of the Griffith facility. This was supposed to have been completed by 2023, but has not been done.
The office of NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said this money had already been provided to PCYC and it was up to them to finish the project.
A spokesperson for the PCYC said the planned facility upgrade had changed in scope since the 2018 announcement and now included the building of a new gym, which is the reason for the delay. She said that it was expected to be completed by the end of 2025, pending approval of the development application.
“I know that buildings are very expensive and money has been secured through other channels, but the icing on the cake will be the fit-out which will make a really big difference and allow the best possible equipment to be used,” Ms Ley said.
“As the federal government representative I’m not responsible for the building, I’m responsible for the commitment I made this morning, that $185,000 is available for the fit-out.
“When the new building arrives, this fit-out will be waiting for it.”
PCYC offers many sports, such as judo. Photo: Griffith PCYC.
Griffith PCYC manager, Alana Dunn, said the Olympic Street site already hosted more than 30 classes each week, including kindy gym, gym star, recreational gymnastics, levels, Parkour/Ninja/Free G, WAG 1-4 (levels) and school holiday gymnastics camps.
“This funding means we’ll be able to quickly install new equipment to expand our recreational and gymnastics levels, increase the coaching team and offer more support for our local schools to deliver their gymnastics programs,” Ms Dunn said.
Albury-based deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has represented the giant seat of Farrer, which includes Griffith, since 2001.
She currently holds the seat by a margin of 33 per cent, making it one of the safest in the country. Labor has not been competitive in Farrer for decades, so her biggest threat comes from an independent, Jindera-based sexual abuse victims’ rights campaigner Michelle Milthorpe. Betting agency Sportsbet has Ms Ley at unbackable odds of $1.01 to win the electorate.
“I don’t look at the bookies, I really don’t. While I’m very grateful for all the times my constituents in Farrer have supported me, I believe that my track record in this electorate over many year proves I have never taken a single vote for granted,” Ms Ley said.
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