Nationals' Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead, is pleased to announce he has been able to secure funding of $65,000 for the Rotary Club of Taree North to enable them to purchase a Sleepbus.
The funding, provided by the NSW Nationals, will complement the $35,000 that the Rotary Club has raised throughout the community.
Having reached its funding target, the Club will now purchase a sleep bus which will provide a safe, temporary overnight accommodation service, getting people off the street and lending them a hand until they can get back on their feet.
Each Sleepbus has up to 20 secure, climate controlled, individual sleep pods with a lockable door and toilet.
Mr Bromhead said everyone is looked after with overnight volunteer caretakers and CCTV surveillance.
"The bus will also have under bus storage for belongings, and pets are welcome to stay,' Mr Bromhead said.
"The Sleepbus comes to its service location from 8pm, with guests boarding from 8:30 and everyone is tucked in bed with doors closed at 10pm. Supported by an onboard, volunteer Caretaker, guests stay warm and safe on Sleepbus all night until disembarking from 7am," Mr Bromhead said.
Nationals' candidate for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson, has welcomed the funding announcement.
"The Sleepbus will give those doing it tough a safe place to get back on their feet. I'm delighted that this funding has been provided for the Myall Lakes," Mrs Thompson said.
Taree North Rotary Club President Bob Nelson said, "The Rotary Club of Taree North and the Manning Homeless Action Group are absolutely delighted in receiving the news that we have been successful in achieving a grant towards the purchase of a Sleepbus for the local community."
"If it wasn't for the support of our local member, Stephen Bromhead and the NSW Government, the fundraising process would have taken us another 12 months."
