Queensland's network of government-funded neighbourhood and community centres is set to expand to 125, with the opening of a new neighbourhood centre at Wynnum in Brisbane's bayside.
Minister for Communities Coralee O'Rourke said the new centre – Wynnum Community Place – would be operated as a two-year pilot until March 2022 by Redland Community Centre Inc.
"The Wynnum community will be well serviced by this new centre and its operators, Redland Community Centre Inc.," Mrs O'Rourke said.
"In addition to its presence and background in the Wynnum area, Redland Community Centre has more than 20 years' experience delivering neighbourhood and community centre services in the Redland Bay area.
"Redland Community Centre will continue to deliver neighbourhood centre, emergency relief and financial literacy and resilience services in Redlands, in addition to emergency relief and the new neighbourhood and community centre service in Wynnum.
"Redland Community Centre is already delivering emergency relief, financial literacy, financial counselling, coffee mornings and workshops as well as a homelessness support service on an outreach basis from Bay Terrace in Wynnum.
Mrs O'Rourke said local Wynnum organisation Safe by the Bay will work with Redland Community Centre Inc. as they establish the new centre and work to respond to the local and specific needs of the Wynnum community.
"Safe by the Bay will provide a number of supports to the new centre," she said.
"This includes undertaking community consultation, hosting quarterly community meals to engage with the local community and conducting a number of local events to showcase other local service providers."
Wynnum Community Place will operate in the heart of Wynnum at 154 Bay Terrace (formerly the home of ANZ bank).
Member for Lytton Joan Pease MP has championed a neighbourhood centre in Wynnum and is delighted with the announcement.
"Wynnum Community Place is ideally located to support the bayside community and will provide a range of services and support that baysiders need, close to home," Ms Pease said.
"This is something that I have been working on for the bayside community for many years.
"We are fortunate in the bayside that we have such a wonderful community spirit. To know that we will now have a space where our community can come together is just fabulous.
"I am thrilled that Redland Community Centre will be collaborating with local groups like Safe By The Bay to ensure that baysiders have access to the support services that they need."
Allison Wicks, Redland Community Centre CEO, said securing the central location in Wynnum was made possible due to a long-term partnership with Phoenix Learning & Care who have agreed to co-locate with the Wynnum Community Place.
"We are so excited about this new venture and being able to build resilience and community wellbeing in the Wynnum area," Ms Wicks said.
Ms Pease announced that she had launched a food drive to support the Community Place as it prepares to open its doors.
"We are looking for donations of non-perishable foods and hygiene products that will be distributed to those in need in the community and I'm delighted to say that we've already received plenty of donations."
Donations of non-perishables can be made at Ms Pease's electorate office located at 100 Edith Street, Wynnum.
The Palaszczuk Government is providing more than $220,000 funding over two years to Redland Community Centre to operate Wynnum Community Place, and $50,000 funding to support Safe by the Bay during the establishment phase.
Minister O'Rourke said funding the neighbourhood centre in Wynnum was another example of the Palaszczuk Government's vision to create thriving communities.
"We recognise the important role the state's network of neighbourhood and community centres play in helping their communities thrive," Mrs O'Rourke said.
"Neighbourhood and Community Centres provide a universal point of access for individuals and families to obtain support and advocacy services.
"They deliver activities and events for the local community, promote social connectedness and build capacity within communities."
The neighbourhood centre will be delivered in line with the latest health advice regarding COVID-19.
