The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales for victim survivors of domestic and family violence, with a new refuge for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence in south-western Sydney currently in development.
The government has invested more than $9.4 million into the construction of the refuge by Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation in Wollondilly.
The refuge will be designed with a focus on the safety and security of victim-survivors of domestic violence and will be a place where women and children can recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.
This is part of the government's Core and Cluster program and will provide up to 10 self-contained units that cater for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, their children and pets.
Victim-survivors will also have on-site access to culturally safe and trauma-informed support services, ranging from individual counselling to legal assistance, family therapy to employment services.
The project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation is a Community Housing Provider with over 40 years of experience in providing social housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
The organisation also offers a broad range of programs and supports for Aboriginal people, families, and communities in the South Western Sydney region, including cultural family programs, early learning and health services.
The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program, which provides women and childing fleeing violent situations with crisis accommodation and on-site counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.
The program will help more than an additional 2,900 victim-survivors of domestic violence each year once all refuges are online.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to addressing domestic and family violence in New South Wales, which includes crisis response, justice reform, earlier intervention and primary prevention.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"One of the main causes of homelessness for women and children in this state is domestic and family violence.
"The NSW Government is committed to building homes and delivering emergency accommodation for women and children escaping violence.
"This refuge will provide a safe place to stay for victim-survivors in the south-west of Sydney and access to the crucial support they need to heal from trauma and reconnect with community."
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
"This refuge will be a place of safety and culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal women and children fleeing violent homes and abusive relationships.
"We know the best way to support Aboriginal victim-survivors of domestic and family violence is for Aboriginal people to shape and drive outcomes in partnership with the NSW Government.
"Nine out of 49 refuges that will be built as part of the Core and Cluster program will be built by Aboriginal-led organisations, which will drive efforts to meet the Closing the Gap target of halving rates of family and domestic violence in Aboriginal communities by 2031."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"We understand the urgent need to provide crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing violent homes and abusive relationships, particularly in regional, remote and rural New South Wales.
"That's why we're committed to building 49 new refuges for domestic violence victim-survivors, and their children and pets, by the end of 2026.
"This site in Wollondilly in Sydney's south-west, will eventually be transformed into homes for women and children who make the brave decision to escape violence, and a safe place to access culturally appropriate and trauma-informed support to rebuild their lives."
Member for Camden Sally Quinell said:
"This crisis housing centre is an incredibly important addition to the Sydney south-west region, delivering trauma-informed emergency care and shelter to those who need it.
"Domestic and family violence is a usually unexpressed issue in our community, but one that I know runs deep. When delivered, this service will enable women and children to seek the help they need, and support them as they navigate their future.
"I'm incredibly supportive of this project being delivered in our neighbouring community of Wollondilly, and proud to be a part of a government committing to delivering this crucial service."
Independent member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan MP said:
"One of the usually unspoken needs of our community is a safe place for women and children to escape from domestic violence, this need is one that we have now in Wollondilly and that I have spoken in Parliament as well as the concern for what future growth pressures may bring.
"The crisis housing will provide a place of safety for Aboriginal women and children victim-survivors locally, here in Wollondilly.
"I am very supportive of this investment in Wollondilly and thank the Government for listening to the needs of my community and the request from Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation."
Doris Williams, Chairperson of the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation Board of Directors said:
"Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation is proud to be working with the Department of Communities and Justice to deliver this refuge for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
"On this ground we will build a safe and secure place where people feel at home and are supported towards healing and restoration after the trauma they have experienced.
"It will be a place where women and children start living a life free from violence."
Sector and community will walk together, in unity, standing up and speaking out against domestic and family violence.
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
