Veterans and their families across the NSW North Coast will have greater access to local support following the opening of a new hub in Tweed Heads.
The North Coast Veterans’ and Families’ Hub, at 145 Wharf Street, will provide services to more than 25,000 current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families across the North Coast and southern Gold Coast.
RSL LifeCare will operate the hub after receiving a $5.5 million grant from the Albanese government.
The facility was designed with input from the veteran community and brings together services including financial counselling, claims support and employment advice.
It will also provide opportunities for veterans and their families to connect through peer support and activities including kayaking and cooking classes.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the hub meant veterans could access support while continuing to live in the region.
“Veterans and their families love the lifestyle benefits on offer at the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast, and now with the North Coast Hub opening they get to live where they love with the supports they need close to home,” said Keogh.
“The North Coast Hub can help with pragmatic issues getting a claim into DVA, but it’s also a place for the veteran community to connect with each other in a relaxed social setting.”
The facility includes a rooftop gathering space designed to give veterans and their families a place to meet and support one another.
Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said access to local services was particularly important given the size of the region’s veteran community.
“We have a large ex-service population in the region with more than 25,000 veterans and families, including many older veterans and war widows.” said Elliot.
“Having tailored veteran support and services accessible locally is so important to improving the health, wellbeing, and economic outcomes of those who bravely served our nation.”
The Tweed Heads facility forms part of the federal government’s commitment of more than $50 million to expand the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network across Australia.
“This is another important milestone in our more than $50 million commitment to expand the network Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country,” Keogh said.
Elliot said the new hub delivered on a commitment to establish additional veteran support in the Tweed.
“As your local Labor MP, I’m proud to have delivered on my election commitment that the Albanese Labor Government would invest more than $5 million to deliver the new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in the Tweed.”
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