The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, with an investment of more than $6.4 million into a new Core and Cluster refuge to be built by Orana Support Service.
The refuge will have six self-contained units and is designed to be inclusive of women and children with disability. A children's play area and pet-friendly common spaces will also cater for all types of families who stay there.
On site support services, which are a feature of the Core and Cluster model, include a mixture of communal and private spaces to facilitate services such as counselling, legal assistance and group programs.
Other features will include meeting rooms and advanced technology to allow residents to participate remotely in court hearings, if required.
The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program, which provides crisis accommodation and on-site support services to women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Once all 49 new Core and Cluster refuges are completed, they will support more than an additional 2,900 victim-survivors of domestic violence each year.
This is part of a wider effort by the Minns Labor Government to support women and children escaping domestic and family violence, including boosting frontline services such as the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program, strengthening bail laws, earlier intervention and primary prevention.
The government has also invested an historic $5.1 billion in social and affordable housing, with at least half of new homes built prioritised for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"When a woman makes the courageous decision to leave an abusive relationship, she should not have to worry about whether she will have a safe place to stay, or whether her children will have a bed to sleep in.
"This Core and Cluster refuge in Coonamble will ensure that women and children escaping domestic and family violence will be supported with crisis accommodation and on-site services to heal from abuse and rebuild their lives.
"Victim-survivors will not have to choose between homelessness and staying in a violent and abusive relationship anymore once this refuge is up and running."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"Coonamble Shire has one of the highest rates of recorded domestic violence related assault in the state, and there is a great need for more crisis support and accommodation for domestic violence victim-survivors in this area.
"Women and children fleeing violent and abusive homes have experienced trauma, and this Core and Cluster refuge will provide a safe place for residents to heal and recover from the trauma they've endured.
"Core and Cluster refuges are an important addition to the wraparound support we continue to provide victim-survivors because they not only provide a safe and secure place when they leave, on-site services also help them rebuild their lives so they can live free from violence."
Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP said:
"This is a very welcome announcement from the NSW Government for the Coonamble community. Domestic violence is often exacerbated in small rural and regional towns due to the challenge of finding safe and appropriate accommodation for victims and their families. These facilities will provide a much-needed safe and supportive environment for people experiencing family or domestic violence, it will allow victims time to recover and the space to plan for their future."
Tina Reynolds CEO of Orana Support Service said:
"Orana Support Service is committed to expanding our provision of safe emergency and crisis accommodation into the Coonamble region, and this new Core and Cluster refuge will do just that for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.
"We are proud to partner with the NSW Government to build this refuge, which will be a safe place that will promote healing and hope for women and children who have experienced trauma.
"Once completed, the residents of this refuge will be supported to move forward with their lives, develop skills and find safe, longer-term accommodation."
