Former FSG buildings in Southport to be taken over by St Vincent de Paul after $4M purchase from liquidator

A leading Australian charity will look to fill part of the void left by failed disability provider FSG when it moves into a new “hub” for southeast Queensland in Southport.

Concept image for new St Vincent de Paul South Coast hub on Railway St, Southport.

ST Vincent de Paul will look to fill part of the void following the collapse of failed disability provider FSG when it moves into a new “hub” for southeast Queensland in Southport.

The charity has paid $4 million for 16-18 and 20-22 Railway St, which formerly served as the headquarters for FSG. The properties formed two of eight assets liquidator FTI Consulting put to the market last year in a bid to recoup funds for creditors. Combined they offer 1583sq m of land and a net lettable area of 1755sq m.

FSG announced it was going into voluntary administration in June last year and was soon after put into liquidation owing creditors $25 million.

St Vincent de Paul South Coast executive director Kris Martin said the plan is to refurbish the buildings to create a hub for its services and those of third parties.

St Vincent de Paul is taking over two buildings at 16-18 and 20-22 Railway St from the liquidators to failed charity FSG. St Vincent has paid $4 million for the buildings and is renovating them prior to moving in. St Vincent de Paul executive officer Kris Martin outside the buildings. Picture: Jerad Williams

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He said it wants the Railway St premises to be a model for the rest of the South Coast, including Logan and Redlands, where clients can access a wide range of services from homelessness support through to legal and budgeting advice.

He said the charity has been looking for years to bring its services, currently spread across five locations, to one location.

“It is a shame what happened to FSG,” Mr Martin said.

“We are hoping we can pick up some of the slack.”

The buildings are currently being refurbished with a view to have them open for the 50 staff and 30 volunteers by February or March next year.

FSG collapsed last year owing creditors $25 million. Photo: Richard Gosling

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Mr Martin said No. 16 will be home to its volunteers as well as its housing, homelessness, family support accommodation, family, youth, migration, budgeting and legal advice services.

Next door at No. 20-22 is slated to feature a St Vincent’s shop (the first in Southport in five years), cafe and upstairs more office space.

Mr Martin said the St Vincent hub is the future of the organisation.

“We’ll have homelessness workers side-by-side with the housing team and our other arms,” he said.

“Someone can walk off the street and get assistance for a wide range of issues.”

The 16-18 and 20-22 Railway St properties of failed charity FSG have been vacant since June last year.

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He said there is great demand for its services, particularly regarding homelessness, which has become an increasing issue in Southport as highlighted by recent Bulletin reports.

Mr Martin said in the past year its Cornerstone service, which supports people who are marginalised, homeless or at risk of homelessness, assisted 360 people on the Gold Coast. It was able to help find long-term accommodation for 40 people.

“Our statistics show us homelessness is increasing. That’s why we are establishing accommodation in Arundel for mature age women.”

The Cornerstone service opened on the Gold Coast in 2016 and was funded through the proceeds of the CEO Sleepout event, now in its fourth year.

Savills’ James Stevenson, who marketed both properties, hailed the deal as a shot in the arm for a struggling part of the Southport CBD.

“Southport will really benefit from having a corporate identity moving into the area and providing services that are lacking,” he said.

He said the campaign drew interest from both investors and owner-occupiers.

This year St Vincent de Paul celebrated its 125th year in Queensland.