Council welcomes funding for Grace’s Place

Published on 12 March 2019

Construction is expected to begin this year on the world’s first purpose-built residential trauma centre for children affected by homicide.

Blacktown City Council has welcomed the announcement that more than $6-million will now be made available for the building of Grace’s Place at Doonside.

Mayor Stephen Bali said today; “Council has been a long-time supporter and facilitator of the Grace’s Place project. Council has committed more than $600-thousand to site remediation and works associated with the project.

“Grace’s place, named in honour of Anita Cobby’s mother, Grace Lynch, will be managed by the Homicide Victims Support Group (HVSG).

“Council worked with the support group and the Western Sydney Parklands to identify and acquire the land for Grace’s Place. Council also held a series of public meetings to ensure community support for the project and lobbied both state and federal governments for funds.

“It is a tribute to the tireless efforts of HVSG Executive Director Martha Jabour and her group to see Grace’s Place coming to reality.” Mayor Bali said.

Both the NSW Government and Opposition today announced they would commit $3.3-million to Grace’s Place, triggering a matching grant from the Commonwealth.

The $6.7-million centre will provide temporary accommodation for up to 12 children and their families at any one time.

Martha Jabour has said that with the funding, work would start this year, with hopes for Grace’s Place to be open in 2020.