PHOTO: A concept design for the Core & Cluster style women’s refuge proposed for Limerick Street, Coonamble. IMAGE: CSC March 2025 Business Papers
The funding for Coonamble’s first women’s refuge, Core and Cluster, is secured and the location is expected to be finalised soon.
Orana Support Services will plan and carry out the project with $7.5 million in funding from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and land provided by Coonamble Shire Council.
Forgione Street was destined as the original location but after negotiations between REDI.E. and the Coonamble Shire Council were not fruitful, Limerick Street became the preferred site for the Core and Cluster home.
Council is now moving to finalise the finer details of the arrangement.
The name of the refuge comes from the communal facilities which represent the ‘core’ and the ‘clusters’ which are the self-contained units where domestic violence survivors can find a home if they have nowhere else to stay.
The facility is an innovative crisis accommodation model where services and support are co-located with independent living and transitional accommodation.
Orana Support Services CEO Tina Reynolds was present at the council meeting to address the councillors questions and concerns.
“We try to keep people in their own home area because that’s where their supports are,” Ms Reynolds said.
The refuge is also open to children under the age of 18 who are fleeing a domestic violence situation.
“We’re putting in security. Women can do the court hearings from the core and cluster,” Ms Reynolds said.
The facilities will be equipped with CCTV, screening devices, alarms, and panic buttons to guarantee residents’ safety.
The DCJ has invested $426.6 million into Core and Cluster refuges across the state.
Coonamble would follow in the lead of 30 other locations that have already been approved. The shire falls under the 2023/24 Core and Cluster Tranche 3 – the final tranche or funding round for the program.
Coonamble received the funding due to its status as one of the LGAs in NSW with the highest rates of domestic violence relative to population.
MP Roy Butler sees it as crucial that Coonamble have its own women’s refuge and survivors do not need to travel two hours to Dubbo for shelter.
“There’s a lack of women’s shelters which are key to getting women to a safe place. Research also shows us that there is a chronic shortage of crisis accommodation and long-term secure accommodation,” Mr Butler said.
“This means many domestic violence victims return to violent partners because it’s perceived to be safer than living in unstable and unsafe housing or facing homelessness.”
Councillor Karen Churchill raised concerns about what would happen if the state government’s funding were cut off.
“It is not something the government is going to withdraw if Coonamble has one of the highest DV rates in NSW,” Ms Reynolds said.
Orana Support Services has been running Core and Cluster facilities in other centres for many years.
Councillor Steve Butler recommended to offer land for $100,000.
Council will provide water and sewer services to the boundary of the site and connection of all services will be the responsibility of the developer.
Councillors were also concerned about how Orana Support Services would staff the operation.
Ms Reynolds told the councillors that there would be three staff on per shift, meaning at least four to five staff would have to be employed overall for the 24-hour operation with a strong focus on hiring local people.
“We would prefer to use local people and if necessary we would pool from Dubbo.
“We’re hoping to bring other services to Coonamble as well.”
Councillor Pip Goldsmith suggested a report be made for the April meeting with more information about the service costs and clarification on conditions such as the timeframe in which the development has to be completed before the land is returned to council.
She echoed Clr Steven Butler’s concerns that provision needs to be made for a scenario where construction is not completed.
“If this is a failed development, council is left with a problem,” Clr Goldsmith said.
“If a report were brought back addressing these considerations, council would feel more confident to enter into a contract for sale.”
In the meantime, the General Manager was given authority to continue negotiations with the developers.
All agreed that a facility like this is long overdue for the Coonamble district.