Mission Australia Centre to be built in Coffs Harbour’s CBD

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Today, Mission Australia has announced plans to build a new Mission Australia Centre in Coffs Harbour’s CBD, with construction to commence later this month. The purpose-built community hub will be an inclusive, vibrant centre offering a range of tailored community services designed to address the most pressing needs of vulnerable locals.

The Mission Australia Centre building project will be funded entirely by donations, and will be built on Duke Street at the same time as the charity’s 40 one-bedroom social home apartments. Both major projects will be built by local construction company, Lipman. They form part of Mission Australia’s commitment to help end homelessness and ensure people and communities across the Mid North Coast can thrive.

The projects are designed to meet local needs, with the latest 2016 Census data showing Coffs Harbour has seen a 15% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness since the previous Census – a rate higher than the national average. Cowper, which takes in Coffs Harbour, is the 10th top electorate in Australia for rental stress with 7,698 households in Cowper experiencing rental stress.

Charoah Evans, Mission Australia’s Regional Manager, Mid North Coast said: “We know that more must be done to ensure that everyone in Coffs Harbour has a safe place to call home, hand-in-hand with access to the tailored support services that those most vulnerable in our community need to thrive.

This new centre will be a safe, welcoming place where people and families facing some of life’s biggest challenges can easily and safely access a range of programs and services in one convenient location. The inclusive environment will nurture opportunities for social connection with the wider community and create a space where local service providers, individuals and organisations can gather and collaborate for the benefit of the whole community.

The commencement of construction of the Mission Australia Centre has been made possible by donations from Mission Australia supporters who have so far raised $2.1 million for the project. Mission Australia will continue fundraising for the multi-million dollar project while it is under construction.

Design and building of the development has been awarded to local construction firm Lipman, with construction being managed by Signature Project Management.

Ms Evans continued: “Mission Australia is very grateful to partner with local construction company, Lipman, to bring this project to fruition and to have this incredible opportunity to contribute to the fabric of our local community by introducing our signature Mission Australia Centre to Coffs Harbour.”

Rob MacKee, Lipman’s CEO said: “Lipman is thrilled to be selected as the design and construction partner to deliver both the housing development and Mission Australia Centre projects. Wherever we work in regional NSW, we are proud to engage local staff and local contractors for our projects as we endeavour to maximise the benefits to local communities.

We look forward to seeing the positive local economic impact of these Mission Australia projects, as well as the social impacts of the completed facilities for the wider Coffs Harbour community for many years to come.

Mission Australia Centres are community hubs owned by Mission Australia that provide local individuals and communities with access to a variety of support services housed within a single location. The range of supports and activities offered at each Mission Australia Centre is determined by the specific needs of the local people and community and include housing and homelessness services, health and wellbeing support and social inclusion activities.

Coffs Harbour is set to be home to Mission Australia’s sixth Mission Australia Centre, with existing locations including Sydney's Surry Hills, Kingswood and Miller, as well as in Western Australia and Tasmania. The charity’s work through their Mission Australia Centres has seen decades of positive outcomes and lasting change for thousands of people.

Ms Evans continued: “The new Mission Australia Centre will be a vibrant hub right in the heart of Coffs Harbour’s CBD that offers a space for connection and healing. It will not only provide essential support, but will also enable people - including those who live in our local social homes - to be involved and connected with our local community while they address their individual or family concerns.

Mission Australia will be partnering with local organisations and welcomes community input to ensure the selection of services provided through the centre are properly tailored to meet the most pressing needs of vulnerable locals.

“For many people living in Coffs Harbour, this year has brought to the forefront a variety of challenges, and given greater visibility to ongoing issues in our community such as homelessness.

“Both Duke Street Mission Australia projects in the heart of Coffs Harbour are part of our investment and ongoing commitment to ensuring that people on the Mid North Coast - no matter their age, background or income - have access to the services they need, and a safe and secure home.”

The Mission Australia Centre Coffs Harbour is set to be completed in the last quarter of 2021.

Anyone keen to support the project can contact Mission Australia’s Partnerships Manager, Peter Murray at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0413 940 026.

For any further enquiries, contact Mission Australia Coffs Harbour on 1800 269 672.

Image credit by Boffa.