Goldfields Women’s Refuge HOPE PROJECT – LESLEY GRILL HOUSE

ABOUT THE GOLDFIELDS WOMEN’S REFUGE

The Goldfields Women’s Refuge provides crisis accommodation for the most vulnerable people in the Goldfields region. We assist on average 3,000 women and children every year, a devastating increase from 1,600 in 2019 to more than 2,500 in 2021 The house provides accommodation and care for women and children facing family and domestic violence and/or homelessness. Finlayson House and the support team of workers provide a safe and nurturing environment to allow individuals the time for recovery and support to move forward in their lives.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Board of the GWR recognises that sharing rooms is not an ideal situation for women and children who have experienced a traumatic event and, even more so now in response to the current health issues associated with Covid19. It is also recognised that often cultural issues prevent families from sharing, at times reducing the capacity of the house.

Elite Compliance and Zenacon Construction Group have prepared a concept design for 3 x two storey dual key townhouses comprising 3 units downstairs and 3 upstairs, along with 3 locked garages for a new, secure and safe accommodation complex. This will give the refuge a significant increase in occupant capacity and compliance with health, amenity and safety compliance with the Building Code of Australia.

The project received the green light to build 3 x townhouses after securing more than $1.3M in community and grant funding and we are now building a team to execute the delivery of the Hope Project. Further support will enable us to complete the full concept design of 6 townhouses.

Construction is set to commence in June 2023 and hand over is scheduled for December 2023.

The Board of the GWR recognised that sharing rooms was not an ideal situation for women and children who have experienced a traumatic event. It was also recognised that often cultural issues prevent families from sharing, at times reducing the capacity of the house.

Elite Compliance and Zenacon Construction Group prepared a concept design for 3 x two storey dual key townhouses comprising 3 units downstairs and 3 upstairs, along with 3 locked garages for a new, secure and safe accommodation complex. This has given the refuge a significant increase in occupant capacity and compliance with health, amenity and safety compliance with the Building Code of Australia.

The project received the green light to build 3 x townhouses after securing more than $1.3M in community and grant funding and a team was put together to execute the delivery of the Hope Project. Further support has now enabled us to complete the full concept design of 6 townhouses.

Construction commenced in June 2023 and the units were officially opened on the 4th December 2024 by the Hon Sabine Winton MLA, Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services.
The Hope units have been named in recognition of Lesley Grill, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Goldfields Women’s Refuge.