Mayor Matt Gould has welcomed today’s announcement by the NSW Government that the Wollondilly Shire will be one of ten new regional locations where refuges will be delivered to support survivors of domestic and family violence.

Funding for the refuge is part of $83.4 million which has been invested in the latest round of the Core and Cluster program, which aims to offer support to women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

Mayor Gould said, “Sadly, the scourge of domestic violence is a growing problem in our community and we need to do all we can to fight it. I am very pleased to welcome funding for a women and children’s refuge in our Shire and thank the NSW Government for responding to calls for this important service.”

“Thank you to all those who advocated so strongly for a local refuge, including our local member Judith Hannan MP, Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren MP, and the Wollondilly Councillors who recognised this need in our community.”

“Family violence is something that causes serious harm to the health, safety and wellbeing of the those who experience it. A local refuge will provide women and their children safety, dignity, and the chance to recover from the trauma of domestic and family violence.”

This is the third round of the Core and Cluster program, which has delivered 39 refuges across New South Wales to date. Locations have been selected based on community need.

In addition to Wollondilly, new refuges will be delivered across Wingecarribee, Wollongong, Goulburn-Mulwaree, the Central Coast, Coonamble Shire, Glen Innes, Clarence Valley, Walgett Shire, and Lake Macquarie Local Government areas under this round of funding.

The Core and Cluster refuge model promotes independent living by providing self-contained accommodation located next to a ‘core’ of support that facilitates access to services such as counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.