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Activity details

The NSW Government is investing $426.6 million from 2022 to 2026 to deliver new Core and Cluster women’s refuges and replace 8 existing government-owned refuges. This initiative will provide a safe environment and offer counselling, legal assistance, education, employment support and child-friendly spaces. This will support up to 2,900 additional women and children annually.

Core and Cluster is an innovative model that allows for independent living and privacy while also providing access to supports. Under the Core and Cluster model, self-contained accommodation is located next to a ‘core’, which provides access to services such as counselling, legal assistance, education and employment support.

Implementation progress update

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) awarded funding to 49 projects, including 9 nine Aboriginal-led initiatives, through 3 procurement tranches under the Core and Cluster program. 36 of the 49 Core and Cluster projects are located in regional and rural parts of NSW to boost support to parts of the state in greatest need.

Ten Core and Cluster refuges have begun service delivery in the following local government areas: Bathurst, Canterbury- Bankstown, City of Wagga Wagga, Cumberland, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Hawkesbury, Port Macquarie-Hastings, and Penrith.

Community Housing Providers deliver and maintain the capital build, while specialist domestic and family violence services provide service delivery at the Core and Cluster refuges. DCJ is actively partnering with non-government providers to ensure the timely delivery of Core and Cluster refuges.

Eight existing women’s refuges, owned and managed by Homes NSW, will be refurbished using the Core and Cluster model. These are in Bega, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Clarence Valley, Fairfield, Forbes, Moree Plains, and Liverpool.

For more information see Core and Cluster Program

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DSS4599 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/4599