A new women's crisis centre due to open in the Georges River area next month needs donations of new household items to get them up and running.
Reports of domestic violence continue to rise and have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with Georges River Council making the supply of women's refuge accommodation a priority for the area, mayor Kevin Greene said.
There are currently 23 women, or women with children, who are survivors of domestic and family violence in the Georges River region and have become homeless as a result of their situation.
The council is calling for donations of a range of household goods can be dropped off at the council's customer service centre in Hurstville before May 29.
Donations of tinned food and non-perishable items will also be accepted.
Required items, preferably in original packaging, include linen, cleaning tools, kitchen appliances, utensils and crockery, and will be used to fit out the centre to provide a comfortable space for women in need.
Georges River Council mayor, Kevin Greene said that the opening of the facility will help to rectify the shortage of women's crisis centres locally.
"The unfortunate reality is that for many across South Eastern Sydney, a safe place to sleep simply does not exist. The new women's refuge centre will provide a place for women in the Georges River area to access support when they need it the most," Councillor Greene said.
"The community is able to support the centre's opening with new donated goods, and I encourage local residents to view the list of wanted items on the Council website and assist if and where they can.
"Council is committed to combating the issue of domestic violence in our community, and the opening of the crisis centre is another step towards achieving this goal," Cr Greene said.
Kingsway Community Care general manager Brook Stewart said the women who are survivors of family violence in the Georges River region had nowhere to turn, until now.
"We are excited to be opening this new and first of its kind project to provide safe, caring and empowering crisis accommodation,"Mr Stewart said.
"This is a great achievement of collaboration for the local area, and we look forward to seeing many lives being positively impacted and transformed," he said.
Donations can be dropped off at the Hurstville customer service centre between Monday to Friday, 8.30am and 5.00pm, until May 29.
If anyone is dropping off bulky items, they should call he council's customer service team on 9330 6400 so they can prepare for the delivery.
To view a list of required items for donation, please visit
Additional items that cannot be used in the crisis accommodation will be donated as starter packs to support families as they move out of crisis housing and into more permanent accommodation.
In-line with directives from the NSW government to help combat the spread of COVID-19, Council will enforce a limit of 10 customers in the Hurstville customer service building at any one time and visitors will be required to adhere to strict physical distancing protocol, and maintain good hygiene.
In May 2018, Council resolved to allocate $60,000 in funding for the transformation of a council property in Hurstville to the women's crisis accommodation facility.
The council also resolved to lease the site to Kingsway Community Care for a peppercorn rental, subsidising the annual rental costs of $50,000.
If anyone requires immediate accommodation call Link2Home 1800 152 152 or DV Line 1800 664 63. For more information on Kingsway Community Care, visit kingswaycare.org.au/platform-nine
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