The Minns Labor Government continues to build a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping violence with a new purpose-built refuge opening in Queanbeyan.
This new Core and Cluster refuge will provide safe accommodation and specialised support so that women and children experiencing domestic and family violence can recover and heal.
Housing Plus was awarded $7.2 million to deliver the project, which comprises six self-contained units alongside a central 'core' facility, where Molonglo Support Services Ltd will be delivering on-site specialist support services to women and children.
The refuge has been designed to meet the diverse needs of families, with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. One of the one-bedroom units is fully wheelchair accessible, and the shared core facilities are also designed to support people with restricted mobility.
Each unit is designed to provide safety and privacy, with a kitchen, bathroom and laundry, outdoor space and an area for pets.
The central 'core' will provide a welcoming and supportive environment and includes indoor and outdoor play spaces for children, communal areas for residents to connect, including a BBQ space, and a dedicated yarning circle to support connection and cultural healing.
The investment forms part of the NSW Government's $426.6 million Core and Cluster program. Once complete, it will support more than 2,900 additional victim-survivors of domestic and family violence each year.
The program is part of the NSW Government's broader response to domestic and family violence, including an historic $5.1 billion investment in social and affordable housing, with at least half the new homes prioritised for victim-survivors, and an additional $130 million for crisis beds.
The Minns Government's recent Budget has also committed a landmark $184.1 million to provide a 50 per cent across-the-board increase in funding to six core domestic and family violence programs, to help ensure victim-survivors can receive timely, life-saving support no matter their postcode.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"This refuge is an important addition to the local supports available, providing women and children with a safe place to stay and access the help they need to recover and heal.
"By combining housing with specialist support, the Core and Cluster model creates a pathway to safety, stability and recovery.
"The Minns Government is addressing domestic and family violence from all angles, including crisis response, stronger laws to protect victim-survivors, early intervention and primary prevention."
Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:
"Since the Minns Government was elected, we've seen a massive additional commitment to helping women and children escaping domestic violence. Just last week in the budget we saw a record increase in funding to help domestic violence services to provide their vital support, and that built on previous funding doing things like extending the 'staying home leaving violence program'.
"This new core and cluster facility is a vital expansion to services and support here in Queanbeyan and the region. It is about providing a safe place and professional support.
"Domestic and family violence is blight on our society and I am proud to be part of a Minns Labor Government that is actively addressing the problem from all angles."
Interim CEO of Housing Plus Group Bryan Mason said:
"Housing Plus is proud to be delivering another state-of-the-art Core and Cluster refuge in Queanbeyan, in partnership with Molonglo Support Services.
"These purpose-built facilities reflect our ongoing commitment to providing safe, supported accommodation for women and children.
"Through strong partnerships with local organisations such as Molonglo, we are pleased to deliver vital services that will make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need them most."
Executive Officer of Molonglo Support Services Julie Abrahams said:
"We are very excited to be working alongside Housing Plus to deliver the Queanbeyan Core and Cluster Program.
"The program will provide much needed safety, accommodation, and dignity for women and children.
"It will allow them to access the supports they need to move forward and live a life free from harm.
"The accommodation will help relieve pressure for existing services with limited housing options currently available, which is a major issue women and children face in our region that prevents them from escaping the cycle of harm."
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
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 information on Men's Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
