Green light for shelter
SUPPORTERS of the Townsville Women’s Centre hope a new purpose- built facility to replace the crumbling old building will be completed by the end of next year.
The centre was given $ 200,000 for planning and scope work and $ 3 million in dollar- for- dollar matched funding from the government in the 2018- 19 Budget.
One of the centre’s strongest backers has been the Sky Foundation, which has raised more than $ 600,000 for a new building in the last four years.
Foundation chair Skye Jerome said the funding win showed supporting women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence went “above politics”.
“At the beginning of the campaign I asked who would stand up for the women and children of North Queensland and both sides of government answered that call,” she said.
“The leader of the opposition, Deb Frecklington, raised the issue in Parliament and Minister Coralee O’Rourke worked quietly and hard behind the scenes.”
Ms Jerome said the foundation would continue to focus on fund- raising, which she hoped would be built within the next 18 months.
“Every $ 1 donated will now turn into $ 2 and the Sky Foundation continue to appeal for any philanthropist or business to donate to the cause, particularly before the end of the financial year.”
Ms Jerome said she wanted to thank the more than 17,600 people who backed a petition to save the centre.
“Our united voice was heard in Brisbane. If you ever doubted the power of people, think of this campaign. Our North Queensland spirit has truly shone through,” she said.
Burdekin LNP MP Dale Last said he was pleased the government had come to the table to commit funding to support vulnerable women and children in the community.
“I have been fighting for this crucial upgrade for months and LNP Leader Deb Frecklington and Shadow Minister Ros Bates have visited the centre and spoken with victims,” Mr Last said.
“This is a service that supports vulnerable women in the Townsville community when they need it most.”
Mr Last said the LNP hoped the facilities were “significantly improved” as soon as possible.
“It is an important local refuge for women struggling to escape the struggles of domestic violence, sexual assault and mental health issues,” he said.