Moreton Bay Regional Council earmarks site at Redcliffe for homeless drop-in centre

AFTER years of community lobbying, a southeast Queensland council has agreed to set aside a parcel of land for a homeless drop-in centre.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has earmarked a site for a homeless drop-in centre in Redcliffe. File photo

AFTER years of lobbying and fundraising, a bid to establish a new homeless drop-in centre in southeast Queensland is looking more likely.

Moreton Bay Regional Council announced today it had earmarked a site at Lamington Drive, Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, for the much-needed drop-in service.

The site is near the Redcliffe Showgrounds and Encircle, a neighbourhood centre.

Councillor Koliana Winchester (Div 6) said she had worked closely with community groups, council officers and state Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath to find a suitable site.

The Redcliffe Drop-in Centre (formally known as Club 189) and The Breakfast Club Redcliffe, which provides meals and assistance for those living rough, have led the campaign for the centre for several years.

The community raised about $67,000 for the project through the first three Rockin’ 4 the Homeless events.

Redcliffe Drop-in Centre president Rae Frawley said the group was preparing a business plan for the council and State Government.

She said the group would set up memorandums of understanding with other service providers including The Breakfast Club, Chameleon House and Encircle.

“It’s been a relatively few short years since our vision was born and we’re very excited to see that it’s not long until our vision becomes a reality,” Ms Frawley said.

Breakfast Club chairwoman Ros Thomsen said she hoped the centre would be up and running as soon as possible.

Ms Thomsen said the group was searching for a site, other than the QCWA Hall in Redcliffe, to use while the drop-in centre was established.

“Currently we are serving over 1000 meals each month,” Ms Thomsen said.

“The meal services at the hall and outreach will continue but we need a space after we leave the hall to meet with guests and provide support and assistance, including provision of clothing, bedding, food and referrals.

“The space will also have a storage area as currently we are paying rent on a storage unit for our donated goods.”

Mrs D’Ath said she was supportive of the drop-in centre project.

“(The Redcliffe Drop-in Centre) are still to prepare any funding proposals. When the time comes, I will certainly work with them to see what government funding may be available,” Mrs D’Ath said.