Stage 1 of the new Assistance Dogs Australia National Training Centre has officially opened at Orchard Hills in Western Sydney today, fulfilling the Albanese Government's $2 million election commitment.
The new training facility will allow greater access for Australians with disabilities to world-class assistance dog education and training at the centre near Penrith.
This includes an environmentally sustainable building design at the accessible purpose-built training facility, enabling clients to visit the site and witness training of their future assistance dogs.
Up to 200 people have been employed for peak construction activities and it's expected up to 60 staff will be employed now the build has been completed.
The building is located on two hectares of land, enabling future expansion.
Stage 1 included earthworks, ground preparation, upgrading the entry road and site infrastructure such as sewer management, rainwater tanks, landscaping, fencing and power supply.
Foundation works and the administrative core of the new training centre has also been delivered, including office space, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and isolation kennels.
Four kennel wings have been built, with capacity to house up to 40 dogs, and include facilities such as dog hydro baths and specific areas for socialisation and free play.
The centre supports Australians with disabilities by partnering them with specially trained, accredited assistance dogs, enabling greater independence and improved health and wellbeing. This helps to build inclusive, diverse and resilient communities.
The new training centre provides a larger facility for Assistance Dogs Australia to train additional dogs, to reduce the waiting list for Australians with disabilities needing assistance dogs.
The $19.4 million Stage 1 project was supported with $2 million from the Australian Government's Priority Community Infrastructure Program, with the remaining $17.4 million funded by Assistance Dogs Australia.
