NOWEYUNG PROJECT RECEIVES COMMONWEALTH SUPPORT
December 13, 2013
The Federal Government will support plans to turn the old Bairnsdale Police Station into a café and hospitality training facility to benefit local people with disability.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has backed the project, announcing that the Federal Government would provide $160,000 to establish the social enterprise program to be operated by Noweyung.
East Gippsland Shire Council last week announced that it had agreed to purchase the site on the corner of Nicholson and Pike Streets from the Victorian Coalition Government after commencing negotiations in September last year.
As part the plan, the existing single storey structure facing Nicholson Street will be redeveloped and leased to Noweyung. The remainder of the site will be occupied by Council.
Mr Chester has been supporting Noweyung’s efforts to get the project off the ground.
“Since being left vacant, the old Bairnsdale Police Station has become an eyesore that has frustrated nearby residents,” Mr Chester said.
“This project is the perfect way to restore the site; boost services for people with disability; and provide an alternative café venue for local residents and visitors.”
Mr Chester said Noweyung’s Gippsland Corporate Gifts disability enterprise would be relocated to the site from its current location on Goold Street and plans also include a multi-purpose room for use by the organisation’s support services.
He has paid tribute to Noweyung as it was the only Gippsland-based disability organisation to benefit from the Social Firm Transition Fund.
“CEO Ernie Metcalf and his team used their initiative and have worked hard over the past three years, engaging with Council and pursuing funding to establish this project,” Mr Chester said.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the organisation as the site takes shape and the café and training facility gets up and running.”
Mr Metcalf said Noweyung was delighted that the Commonwealth had released funds to support a worthwhile, long-term, sustainable project.
“Being one of only 16 disability enterprise organisation’s Australia wide means Noweyung is at the forefront of innovative employment options for people with a disability,” Mr Metcalf said.
“Social firms potentially have immense benefits for employees. They are inclusive and integrated workplaces, where employees with disability work alongside employees without disability.
“They help break down social barriers. People with disability are able to prove that ability is much more important than disability. Social firms offer strong working conditions, including good wage outcomes and inclusive working environments.”