‘Bad look’ as brand new emergency-crisis accommodation remains empty
DV SHELTER EMPTY
A brand new emergency accommodation centre in Mossman for women and children victims of domestic and family violence remains empty, months after the facility was completed.
It’s a bad look for a regional area which has some of the State’s highest rates of domestic and family violence.
There is no other specific emergency accommodation of its kind in the Douglas area, and victims needing shelter have for many years been, and still are, referred to Cairns.
This is on top of the general housing crisis in the region, which leaves little or no emergency accommodation alternatives elsewhere.
Funding for the centre was sought by – and successfully granted to – Douglas Shire Council in September 2020 by the Commonwealth, to the tune of around $760,000.
Council tendered out the construction of the centre but since it was completed, there has apparently been a holdup with finalising what organisation will be the actual service provider, and to manage and maintain the buildings for a period of at least 15 years.
Newsport has sought comment from the Federal government, but has not received any response.
State Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, said there has not been any involvement so far by the state government in the emergency accommodation centre, because it was solely a partnership between Council and the Commonwealth – which provided Council the money under its ‘Safe Places Emergency Accommodation’ initiative.
“Safe Places grants are a Commonwealth initiative, and are not decided by the Queensland Government,” Ms Lui told Newsport.
“This grant was provided on the basis that the Douglas Shire Council would be able to deliver the funding for the proposed service provider without state government investment,” she said. “However, the Council has been unable to source this operational funding.
“The Queensland Government is aware of this situation and has been working with the Council to try and resolve the matter.”
- Update -
*Newsport reached out to Council for comment about this story. At the time of deadline, it was the journalist’s understanding a response had not been forthcoming. In this instance Council did supply a response to our questions.
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NP: Newsport
MK: Michael Kerr
NP: With FNQ among the state's highest numbers for domestic violence cases, is this a 'bad look' to have a brand new facility of this nature vacant and not yet operational?
MK: Council is aware domestic violence is a serious issue within our community. Council has been advocating strongly since 2015 for a facility in our region and was successful at securing Federal funding in 2020 to build the centre. Council remains committed to advocating to the State Government for funding to operate the facility.
NP: Was the grant provided on the basis that Council would be able to deliver the funding for the proposed service provider? Has Council been able to source this funding?
MK: Yes, while the funding was provided to construct the emergency accommodation centre, one condition was for Council to source a provider to deliver this much needed service.
Council has been in negotiations with experienced service providers willing to operate the facility and continues to work with community organisations to advocate to the State Government to secure funding to deliver the service.
NP: Has the State Government been approached to provide operational and service provider funding?
MK: Yes and Council looks forward to the State Government supporting this vital service for our community. Mayor Kerr met with the Attorney General this week to discuss this matter and garner assistance in getting the facility open as soon as possible.
Thank you!
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