The hub, on the corner of Portwood Street and Oxley Avenue, which opened its doors on Monday. Photo: MBCC
COUNCIL NEWS
Moreton Bay (Qld)
The keys have unlocked the doors on Moreton Bay City Council’s new $6.7 million Peninsula Support Hub at Redcliffe.
The hub is home to The Breakfast Club and Salvation Army, who will offer case management, housing referrals, meal services, laundry and shower facilities and respectful socialisation.
Mayor Peter Flannery says the facility is a step forward in helping the city’s homeless population access critical support services.
“The Peninsula Support Hub has been years in the making. We’ve poured everything into getting it right,” he says.
Funding for the hub came from council ($3.7m) and the state government ($3m) and the council is also offering a $1-a-year lease to allow the tenants to focus less on paying the rent and more on the homeless, he explains.
“Council …. waived development fees and infrastructure charges in 15 suburbs for affordable and social housing and providing land to housing providers like Bric Housing and Coast2Bay Housing Group,” Flannery says.
POLITICAL SUPPORT
Queensland Governor (and Salvation Army patron) Dr Jeannette Young says the project is a heartening display of strong community partnership.
Redcliffe MP Kerri-Anne Dooley predicts the hub will have a real impact on lives.
“This hub means people in crisis won’t have to travel far or face complicated systems to get support; they’ll be able to access meals, housing referrals, case management and more, all under the one roof,” she says.
Councillor Karl Winchester (Redcliffe) says the hub represents years of dedication and determination to help those who are facing homelessness.
“Having all these services in one central location makes a huge difference for people doing it tough because they don’t have to navigate the system alone and can access the wrap-around support they need in one safe and supportive space,” he says.
Chairwoman of the Breakfast Club, Michelle Gilchrist says “thanks to council’s $1-a-year lease and purpose-built building, we can focus fully on delivering vital support … without the constant worry of operational costs”.
“This hub will make a real difference in the lives of those in need of our services. We are proud to play a part in it.”
> The Salvation Army will operate from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday while The Breakfast Club will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7am-8am, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-1pm and 4pm-5:30pm.
