Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's tour of the Gilmore electorate on Tuesday morning was upended by anti-nuclear energy protesters dressed in toxic waste suits who interrupted a funding announcement at Francis Ryan Reserve in Sanctuary Point.

Dutton and Gilmore's Liberal candidate, Andrew Constance, were at the sports ground to announce they would commit $3.5 million to build the Bob Proudfoot Pavilion if the Coalition is successful at this Saturday's federal election.

But the staged media opportunity quickly descended into chaos when a small group of protesters, including South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris, wearing hazmat suits

Upon seeing the hecklers, Dutton made an abrupt exit from Francis Ryan Reserve, which is home to the Bay and Basin Cricket Club and the St Georges Basin Dragons Rugby League Club.

A Liberal Party official said his quick departure was due to security concerns.

The three protesters staged a mock attempt at measuring the playing field to be, what one of them described as, "the first nuclear reactor" before adding "make sure we don't give too much away to the voters before Saturday".

One of the officials from the local league club branded the protesters "muppets" for their act of defiance.

Protesters at the Peter Dutton announcement at Sanctuary Point.

The plot thickens with Constance claiming that the protesters then hopped into a car which was branded with campaign messagine for independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds.

When contacted by The Bugle, she said she was blindsided by this information.

"I have absolutely zero knowledge of any protest this morning," she said.

"It is not in any way affiliated with the campaign but I respect the right for peaceful protest in this country and I am not supportive of the Liberal Party's fantasy of a nuclear future."

Constance said the protesters were out of line.

"To completely upset a local community and the local Dragons football club who have worked really hard to secure these funds, to have it turn into a platform for supporters of the Labor Party and Kate Dezarnaulds is really disappointing," he said.

"We were about to announce $3.5 million for Sanctuary Point's new clubroom, amenities block and pavilion and it was turned into a circus by people who should know better."

Dutton and Constance had earlier visited shops in Nowra, campaigning for the former NSW Treasurer who lost the previous election in 2022 to Labor incumbent Fiona Phillips by 373 votes.

While their announcement for Francis Ryan Reserve was cut short, the Liberal Party issued a media release to say that the existing amenities block would be demolished and replaced with the Bob Proudfoot Pavilion, including changerooms and amenities for women and match officials, a verandah, a kiosk and store, fitness spaces, a ticket booth, and a terrace comms box.

“This new pavilion will meet the needs of this growing community and the increased participation of young women and girls in rugby league and cricket," Dutton said.

“A Coalition Government I lead will never leave Sanctuary Point or the South Coast behind. The community has a powerful and experienced advocate for their needs in Andrew Constance.

“The South Coast can’t afford another three years of neglect by Labor.”

Constance added that the new pavilion was a glaring need for the local community.

“Our future Jillaroos, Kangaroos, and cricket stars deserve access to first rate facilities," he said.

“For our young women and girls to thrive, playing the sports they love, means having access to modern facilities which are safe and secure.

“There is currently no appropriate female change facilities at Francis Ryan Reserve and this is not something the I am prepared to accept.

“A Dutton Coalition Government will listen to and deliver for Sanctuary Point and South Coast families.”