Breakfast Club scores free temporary tenancy

Published 15 January 2020

Redcliffe’s Breakfast Club has been provided with a temporary base of operations for its meal services by Council, which will save the organisation close to $5,000 in hire fees.

Cr Koliana Winchester (Div 6) said the volunteer group’s meal services will be based out of the former Redcliffe Pensioner’s Hall for the next six months.

“The great new is the Breakfast Club can reinvest those funds into services where they’re needed most,” Cr Winchester said.

“Unlike some services which receive operational funding support from the responsible State and Federal Government Departments, the Breakfast Club is 100% volunteer run and relies exclusively on the generosity of their community partners, concerned citizens and their volunteer-led fundraising activities.

“The services provided by the Breakfast club play an integral role in combating the ever-increasing homelessness issues on the Redcliffe Peninsula, so Council is doing what we can to support them.

“While this six month agreement is only a temporary arrangement, it is a great use of the old Pensioner’s Hall while we determine its longer-term future.

“The reality is we’re going to need some significant assistance from the state or federal government for the building to be brought into line with modern standards.

“We have meetings scheduled with the Department of Housing and Public Works to discuss the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness, as well as a meeting with the Attorney-General and Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath.

“We’re also hopeful of Federal assistance to address the growing challenge of homeless in Moreton Bay, since Petrie MP Luke Howarth became the Assistance Minister for Housing and Homelessness.

“The need for the state and federal governments to step up to address the challenge of homelessness is abundantly clear.

“Comparing ABS Census data from 2011 and 2016 shows a dramatic increase of 57.5% in the number of persons experiencing homelessness within the Moreton Bay Region.

“This is one of the highest growth rates in Queensland. Substantially higher than our SEQ counterparts and the QLD average.”