At present, there is a constant waiting list to get into either of the organisation's two shelters, but by this time next year, Ms Brady hopes that'll no longer be the case.

Construction is set to begin in the new year on a purpose-built shelter in Forster that will effectively double the organisation's current capacity.

Ms Brady knows this will put the shelter in a much better position to help women and - as is usually the case - their children deal with the ongoing terror of domestic violence and embark on a new start in life.

"With our expanded capacity, we hope to be able to meet most of the demand," Ms Brady said.

"This is huge."

Not only is the development - known as Project 2020 - huge in a figurative sense, it's a big step forward for the women's shelter in terms of scale.

Located on a 1600 square-metre block on Goldens Road, the new shelter will be able to accommodate up to 10 families as well as staff.

It will also contain meeting rooms and an outreach office.

Related: Shelter to take in more women

Considering the existing two shelters can house a maximum of five families between them and their locations are kept low-key for security reasons, Ms Brady says the new shelter will bring a number of immediate benefits.

"First of all it's one location, so from a staff point view it is much easier to support the residents and allows more efficient use of staff time" she said.

"Secondly, it'll be secure. We will have state-of-the-art security.

"Thirdly, it is designed-for-purpose, allowing more flexibility for accommodating different families, more amenity and more dignity for residents."

In addition, when the shelter opens in 2021 it will free up a fourth transitional unit, for women who have left the shelter but still need a bit more support until they can find their own stable accommodation.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Ms Brady knows Project 2020 and the many other achievements the shelter has accomplished in the five years it has been operating would not have been possible without the help of its many supporters.

She believes this support shows a wide-reaching understanding of the nature of domestic violence.

"I think domestic violence touches so many more families than anybody knows," Ms Brady said.

"Almost everybody has been touched by this scourge in our communities."

The shelter has relied on a variety of sources to fund its operations since it came into being in January 2016, including local, State and federal governments, the Registered Clubs sector, private philanthropists and the Great Lakes community.

The new shelter, which Ms Brady says is by far the organisation's biggest initiative to date, has largely been made possible as the result of funding from the State and federal governments, as well as a private philanthropic grant, and a generous leasing arrangement with MidCoast Council on a suitable block of land.

"I gratefully acknowledge the support of member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie, whose support has been critical in providing this much-needed service in Regional NSW," Ms Brady said.

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Beyond the shelter's expected completion in late 2021, Ms Brady says the organisation will turn more of its energies towards education to boost prevention, lobbying for improved services and working closely with the community to bring about cultural change.

As valuable as she knows providing a safe place is, she believes education and bringing about changes in cultural attitudes are the real keys to reducing domestic violence.

"I say what we're doing now is dealing with the problem, we're not dealing with the source," Ms Brady said.

"The more we talk about it in the community the more we work to bring about meaningful change."

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