Construction is due to commence soon on the new Townsville Women’s Centre, with a local builder selected to lead the development of the Aitkenvale site.
Townsville-based building company Woollam Constructions has been awarded the contract to construct the new centre at the corner of Charles and Nathan St.
Minister for Communities and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke today (Feb 26) turned the first sod on site and highlighted how the construction of the centre would support 13 full-time equivalent local jobs.
“Woollam Constructions has the experience and expertise to deliver a project of this importance for the Townsville community and I welcome them on board this exciting development,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“By selecting a local building company, the Palaszczuk Government is again backing local jobs and supporting the Townsville economy.
“We anticipate construction will begin on site in Aitkenvale in early March 2020.”
The Palaszczuk Government is providing $4.235M in funding for the design and construction of the new centre in 2019-20, in addition to $330,000 provided last financial year.
Construction of the new Townsville Women’s Centre is anticipated to be completed by 15 July 2020 with the North Queensland Combined Women’s Service to move in and begin operating the new centre shortly after.
The Palaszczuk Government provides $1.7 million annually to the North Queensland Combined Women’s Service to operate and deliver a range of services through the Townsville Women’s Centre including sexual assault support services, counselling and domestic and family violence and homelessness services.
Mrs O’Rourke said the new centre would provide services and support for women of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
“The centre will have a particular focus on older women and women with disability,” she said.
“We know that women with disability are particularly vulnerable to assault and sexual assault and this new centre will work to address this.”
Townsville Women’s Centre coordinator Cathy Crawford said she was looking forward to seeing work begin on the new centre.
“I am so pleased that we are another step closer to building a new centre for local women here in Townsville,” Ms Crawford said.
“The new centre will allow us to deliver a broader range of much-needed services for local women in a more modern, comfortable and fit-for-purpose environment.
“I look forward to working with the Woollam Constructions team building the new centre.”
Minister O’Rourke said the new women’s centre would make a significant difference in the lives of many women in Townsville.
“I am proud of our government’s commitment to delivering a new women’s centre here in Townsville,” she said.
“To be able to deliver this new centre at a time when our community is coming to realise the importance of services which help women who find themselves in situations of domestic and family violence is especially important.”
“I know this new centre and the expanded services it will offer will have real and positive impact on the lives of the women in our local community it serves.
“Constructing a new Townsville Women’s Centre is a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to creating thriving communities, where Queenslanders, regardless of their personal circumstances can participate and be included in their community, be resilient and enjoy social and economic wellbeing.”
