The Great Lakes Women's Shelter (GLWS) has reached a major milestone in its bid to construct a purpose designed building for women and children escaping domestic violence.
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This week GLWS began an advertising campaign calling for tenders to construct Project 2020, a six-bedroom shelter group home and two, two-bedroom shelter villas on land provided by MidCoast Council.
The Goldens Road, Forster shelter will double the existing accommodation for women and children.
Since GLWS was opened five years ago it has been the board's long-term objective to build a shelter that would serve the needs of vulnerable people in the community well into the future
Funding from Federal, State and local governments has made this goal a reality.
A State government Stronger Country Communities Fund grant, supported by Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead, gave Project 2020 a solid start.
"This fund emphasises bringing economic activity and benefit to regional communities, so this is a very local project," GLWS president and Project 2020 team leader, Julie Brady said.
"Other capital funds for this project have come from perpetual trustees, who gave a grant under the Perpetual Impact Grants program."
The Federal government, with the strong support from Member for Lyne, David Gillespie, put the last building blocks in place with a grant from the Safe Places initiative, Ms Brady said.
With all of that security, the GLWS project team set to work in earnest.
The team, appointed by the GLWS board, includes members with key skills, including Ms Brady a retired business executive, Grahame Burns, a retired engineer and project site manager, and a well-known local, Stanley Day, a retired senior NSW public servant and barrister.
GLWS manager, Carly Ravenscroft contributes a strong understanding of the day-to-day needs of residents and staff, while Barron Carrol Building design principal, Sharon Barron, completes the team.
Politically, MidCoast Council and both the State and Federal governments are all keen to see the end product and the GLWS board and project team are confident of delivering an excellent result for residents, staff, funding bodies and, of course, the community.
- Julie Brady
Mr Burns, has delivered a number of community projects locally including the Forster Tuncurry Community College and several Forster Private Hospital projects including major extensions, a renal unit and a hydrotherapy pool.
"As people may imagine, thousands of volunteer hours have been given by the project team to reach this milestone, and it is a credit to the community that the team has been assembled from local talent and experience," Ms Brady said.
"Project 2020 is high profile, with the Great Lakes residents, service, recreation and craft clubs, and local organisations and businesses all being major stakeholders.
"Politically, MidCoast Council and both the State and Federal governments are all keen to see the end product and the GLWS board and project team are confident of delivering an excellent result for residents, staff, funding bodies and, of course, the community."
RELATED: Shelter to take in more women
The major criteria under which the project will be assessed by the funders and GLWS include the provision of, high quality, durable accommodation with a high degree of amenity and dignity for residents.
"This will allow us to provide secure sensitive, accessible and appropriate support to families dealing with domestic violence."
The project brief requires that the building, fit out and amenities support and protect vulnerable residents, including children and young people.
The safety of residents, especially children, is paramount in both the external features and internal design and fit out.
With up to 10 families in residence at any time, critical issues include quality and durability of the build, materials, fixtures and fittings, and - importantly - sustainability and energy efficiency and minimise ongoing operating costs.
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