Addi Road receives ‘lifeline’ $982,000 grant from NSW government

By ERIN MODARO

Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville is set to receive a $982, 000 Crown Reserve grant from the NSW government to provide vital upgrades to the centre’s heritage-listed building.

Addison Road Community Organisation CEO Rosanna Barbero welcomes the investment as a “lifeline” for Addi road, which is the largest community centre in Australia.

“When I heard we needed the upgrade to stay open it aged me about 10 years as we didn’t have the resources to do it” Ms Barbero said.

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the grant is going towards upgrading the fire safety of 35 buildings at Addi Road facilities.

“Addison Road is a hive of activity, where volunteers do everything from pack donated food that’s sent to every corner of the state, to rescuing animals, counselling youth and helping refugees open their own business” Mr Anderson said.

‘Heart and soul’ of Inner West

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and member for Grayndler, has been a regular visitor of Addi Road over the years, and had described them as “the heart and soul of the Inner West”.

Addi Road is home to over 289 staff members who operate a multitude of non-profit organisations, serving over 330,000 people in the community per year. Recently, Addi Road has been supporting Northern Rivers flood victims, as well as distributing supermarket food donations to people in need.