The funding will allow the shelter to build a new six-bedroom group dwelling and two new two-bedroom self-contained villas, doubling the number of people it can accommodate.

Member for Lyne, David Gillespie, said it was an important investment to improve access to suitable accommodation for women and children across the Great Lakes.

"Sadly, we know that home is not safe for many women and children; family and domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children," Dr Gillespie said.

"This will not only ensure women and children have somewhere safe to sleep but will also provide access to specialist family and domestic violence services to help create real and lasting change in their lives."

Great Lakes Women's Shelter president Julie Brady said the funding would allow for the provision of longer term, self-contained emergency accommodation which in turn would give women and their children increased stability.

"When women make the decision to leave it is vital that they have somewhere safe to go and Great Lakes Women's Shelter will be there to assist, providing support and enhancing life skills and the opportunity for a new start in life," Ms Brady said.

"This long-term vision is becoming a reality with joint contributions from Federal, State and Local government, and through community support and private philanthropy."

The $60 million Safe Place Emergency Accommodation program is part of a $78 million funding package which includes $18 million to continue the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes initiative.

This funding is part of the $340 million Australian Government investment in the fourth action plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

Within two weeks of opening in January 2016, the shelters in both Forster and Tuncurry were full, and in less than four months they had given shelter to around 20 women and more than 40 children.

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