Some of Coonamble shire’s most vulnerable people will soon have a safe place to go to in times of uncertainty and danger with details of the new crisis accommodation revealed.

The $2.9 million dollar Youth Empowerment Fund that Coonamble Shire Council received in 2022 through the then Liberal NSW Government is funding this project along with the Youth Empowerment program in Coonamble.

The shire still ranks among the state’s worst in domestic violence related assault, and compared to other top-ranking shires like Walgett and Bourke, there is little infrastructure to help those who are escaping violence or become homeless as a result.

Currently those leaving violent homes have no local option for crisis accommodation, and are directed toward services who can assist with transporting them to the nearest available facility in another district such as Gilgandra or Dubbo.

The new facility is expected to be the beginning of vastly improved support for victims of family violence.

The proposal is for a two bedroom and a three bedroom dwelling to be constructed specifically for crisis accommodation in both Coonamble and Gulargambone.

In Coonamble, the dwellings will be located at a site on Yarran Street, and in Gulargambone in Kirban Street.

“The focus of this crisis accommodation will be youth homelessness,” said Coonamble Shire Council Manager of Economic Development David Levick.

Coonamble Shire Council have also indicated that a separate crisis accommodation project is set to be announced through a partnership with specialist provider Orana Support Services, who already service Wellington, Narromine and Dubbo. 

Council has advised that project is expected to deliver around 7 or 8 dwellings along with a common building in a shared compound - a game-changing development for victims of family violence in the district.

Timeframes for delivery of either project are still to be confirmed by Coonamble Shire Council.