The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to create a safer New South Wales for victim survivors of domestic and family violence, with ten new refuges for women and children across regional areas to be delivered by 2026.
$83.4 million has been invested for this latest round of the Core and Cluster program, which once completed is expected to offer support to more than 500 women and children a year escaping domestic and family violence.
This is the third round of the Core and Cluster program, which has to date delivered 39 refuges across New South Wales.
Combined, refuges delivered through the Core and Cluster program are estimated to assist and additional 2,900 women and children across the state.
Locations are selected based on community need, with the ten new refuges to be delivered across Wingecarribee, Wollongong, Goulburn-Mulwaree, the Central Coast, Coonamble Shire, Glen Innes, Clarence Valley, Walgett Shire, Lake Macquarie and Wollondilly Local Government areas.
Four projects will be led by Aboriginal organisations, ensuring women and children fleeing family violence receive culturally appropriate housing and support as they rebuild their lives.
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.
This is part of the NSW Government's ongoing work to address domestic and family violence across New South Wales, at all stages, by investing in primary prevention, early intervention, crisis responses and recovery.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"We're doing everything we can to tackle the scourge of domestic violence - from strengthening bail laws, to prioritising half of new social and affordable housing builds for people fleeing violence and funding more refuges.
"Women and children leaving violent family relationships need a safe place to go, and no one should fall through the cracks because of their postcode.
"This latest funding will provide 10 new refuges, mostly in regional areas, which will be open and ready to house up to 500 vulnerable women and children by the end of 2026.
"These investments are vital as we work to undo more than a decade of underinvestment in domestic and family violence services and once fully delivered, the $426 million program will ensure up to 2,900 additional women and children can find a safe place to call home."
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
"We know the best way to close the gap is by Aboriginal people shaping and driving outcomes for Aboriginal people, in partnership with the NSW Government.
"So it is pleasing the new Core and Cluster refuges will have a focus on assisting Aboriginal Women with four of the 10 projects being run by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
"As a result, these First Nations service providers will help ensure Aboriginal women and children escaping family violence receive the right type of culturally appropriate housing and support as they rebuild their lives."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"When a woman makes the courageous decision to leave a violent relationship, she needs a safe place to go to recover and rebuild her life.
"The Core and Cluster model provides accommodation but also hope for the future through tailored support to help victim-survivors heal.
"As part this third round, our focus has been to expand the Core and Cluster program to regional NSW and harder-to-reach communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The model ensures they receive culturally responsive supports that acknowledge the devastating impacts and accumulation of trauma across generations."
Penny Dordoy CEO of Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) said:
"We know that the Core and Cluster model offers women safety, dignity, and the chance to recover fully from the trauma of domestic and family violence.
"This program tells women they are being prioritised, they are important and the community cares about them.
"SAHSSI's fully secure complex is made up of eight individual units that will provide for privacy and dignity, as well as shared spaces to socialise and participate in programs.
"We will have dedicated domestic and family violence specialists and child and family specialists working on-site creating a safe, trauma informed space for recovery."
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN on 13 92 76.
