Bundeena RSL Memorial Club has been given a $300,000 state government grant for a new kitchen and power generator to assist the community in the event of bushfires or other natural disasters.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said the grant had come at a great time as it would allow additional facilities to be incorporated in the club which is to be rebuilt after being gutted by fire a year ago.
Chief executive Sara Watkins said the funding ensured the club would be able to fulfill its duty as an emergency evacuation point for the local community.
"A power generator and kitchen in the function room will keep the club fully operational during emergency situations, and will provide facilities for our community and emergency services,” she said.
Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott said clubs were vibrant community hubs, and during a natural disaster could offer safety and shelter for affected residents.
The grant is part of the state government’s latest ClubGRANTS round which offers a total $2.5 million emergency funding package for communities across the state.
In another measure reinforcing the importance of clubs during natural emergencies, new laws have relaxed membership rules, so anyone living within a five kilometre radius of a club is deemed to be a member during such periods.
CLUB REBUILD
How long it will take to rebuild the club after last year’s fire remains uncertain.
The latest update, posted on the club’s website at the start of this year, said:
“It is too early at this stage to provide a clear indication as to what length of time the rebuild will take, nor how the rebuilding process is going to occur.
“However once any information is received, better analysis and decision making can occur by the memorial club.
“This is a crucial and important time for your club of which club management and the board are working hard behind the scenes to provide the best possible result with the insurance monies received.”
The update said, on December 24, the club finalised and accepted a settlement offer from their insurer, which included furniture, fittings and equipment and business Interruption components of the insurance claim.
“The building cover...has also been finalised and accepted,” the statement said.
“This final settlement was the result of months of intricate negotiations, which involved several professional services including claims preparers, brokers and quantity surveyors working with Insurance to provide the best possible result for our beloved club.
”To give some insight into the level of work that has occurred regarding reaching this final settlement, the memorial club was required to provide a list detailing every object and each piece of equipment destroyed in the fire.
“In all, 632 different items were provided to insurance for replacement along with individual quotes, price verifications with the clubs asset register.”
