Council unanimously supports motion to back Ulladulla suicide prevention group

Councillor Patricia White tabled a motion at Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting that proposes a budget of up to $75,000 be allocated to assist with project management, design, scopes of work and council also assists the Ulladulla Lighthouse Suicide Group with applying for funding opportunities with all levels of government.

Many councillors complimented Cr White for presenting the motion and they also commended the work the prevention group has put into the Warden Head Lighthouse redevelopment project over the past 18 months.

Cr White said there was $200,000 on the table from the Department of Crown Lands to upgrade the precinct, but the money was at risk of returning to the general fund of Crown Lands after June 30.

Cr White told the chamber council needed to request a meeting with South Coast MP Shelley Hancock so Mrs Hancock can then approach the Minister to keep the money available for the Lighthouse group.

“I don’t want to miss the opportunity of securing funding down there that has already been allocated to the area,” Cr White said at Tuesday’s meeting.

“She [Shelley Hancock] will be able to plead a case on the community’s behalf that we need to retain this funding after the 30th of June.”

Cr John Wells requested an addition to the motion – that council support Shelley Hancock in making representations to the Minister for Primary Industries to enable the allocation of available funding, which council was advised is already with Crown lands, to the project. 

“We should support Shelley every step of the way,” Cr Wells said.

In August, Mrs Hancock secured a $460,000 grant for works to include a car park, improving greater public visibility, landscaping, vehicular barriers around the lighthouse and suicide awareness barriers.

Lifeline: 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au.

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36, www.beyondblue.org.au.