Construction commences on new domestic violence refuges in regional NSW

Wednesday, 7 June 2023

The NSW Government will deliver 27 women’s refuges across regional NSW to provide emergenc accommodation to women escaping domestic and family violence.

These refuges, due to be complete by 2026 will directly support more than 2,900 women and children who have experiences family and domestic violence.

Ten of these refuges will be delivered by Housing Plus, an experience provider who have already undertaken work to deliver the first Core and Cluster pilot site in Orange and other similar accommodation in the Central West.

Last year, NSW Police recorded 33,410 incidences of domestic violence related assault in New South Wales.

In the 10 years to December 2022, 156 women and 51 children in NSW are known to have been killed as a result of family or intimate partner violence.

The NSW Government is committed to taking action to combat the scourge of domestic and family violence across New South Wales in accordance with the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027 and the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said:

“These statistics are alarming and as a community we cannot sit idle. We are collaborating with our partners across government and the community to combat domestic and family violence and support victim-survivors.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson said:

“Construction has already commenced on some of our regional developments, however, we know that there is more to be done. We are committed to providing more support to our regional communities, especially victim-survivors of domestic violence.”

Housing Plus Acting CEO – Penny Dordoy said all ten Housing Plus refuge sites will be constructed and managed by Housing Plus in partnership with various local Specialist Homelessness Service providers.

“We are delighted to be selected to provide this much needed support for victims of domestic abuse across the regional communities of NSW. We believe our partnerships with local service providers will deliver the best outcomes to victim-survivors,” Ms Dordoy said.

Housing Plus piloted the first Core and Cluster DV refuge model in NSW when it delivered The Orchard in Orange in 2020.