Georges River Council is assisting in the provision of women's crisis accommodation in Hurstville by donating $5,000 towards lease costs for Kingsway Community Care.
This follows an allocation by the council of $60,000 in funding from its 2018/19 budget for the transformation of a council property in Hurstville to a women's crisis accommodation facility.
And the council also resolved to lease the site to service provider Kingsway Community Care for a peppercorn rental, subsidising the annual rental costs of $50,000.
The council decided to donate the $5,000 towards the facility's lease costs following a Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Leesha Payor at the July 22 council meeting which was supported by her fellow councillors.
Georges River Council mayor Kevin Greene said that Council had identified a need for this facility in the community.
"We know that there is a shortage of women's crisis centres, not only in the Georges River area, but also across Australia.
"I am delighted that the council is able to help offer more of these crucial services, to ensure women can access support when they need it the most," Councillor Greene said.
Councillor Payor said the council has made the supply of women's refuge accommodation a priority for the Georges River area.
"Council has been working towards the provision of this additional women's crisis accommodation since 2018, and the $5,000 will see Council waive legal fees associated with the lease preparation for the property, so that Kingsway Community Care can focus on providing a safe community space for women."
In May 2018, Council resolved to allocate $60,000 in funding from the 2018/19 budget for the transformation of a Council property in Hurstville to a women's crisis accommodation facility and lease the site to Kingsway Community Care for a peppercorn rental, subsidising the annual rental costs of $50,000.
Kingsway Community Care was selected as the service provider for the management of the women's refuge following an Expression of Interest process.
For more information please call 9330 6400.
For more information on Georges River Council, visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
