COUNCIL RALLIES BEHIND THE GLEN INNES & DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE

Published on 05 May 2025

Glen Innes Severn Council has reaffirmed its strong support for the Glen Innes & District Community Centre (GIDCC), recognising its vital role in delivering frontline services and fostering social connection across the region.

The GIDCC offers a trusted, community-led hub for essential services—from emergency relief and youth support to seniors programs, skills workshops and service referrals—addressing the challenges of service access in rural areas.

At its April 2025 meeting, Council endorsed a practical and collaborative support package to meet both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. This includes advocacy with Homes North to improve service coordination, in-kind assistance to develop a 2025/26 Strategy and grant writing support to strengthen the Centre’s financial position—work that is already underway with encouraging early progress.

Council will receive a report in August outlining options to support GIDCC’s short-term financial stability and explore the establishment of a Community Service Hub to improve service access and coordination. This includes a possible one-off subsidy, engagement with key service providers and an investigation into future co-location opportunities potentially using Council facilities.

The report in August will also outline options, preliminary findings and next steps to support a longer ambition to establish a Community Service Hub for greater access and continuity of services to the community.

Mayor Margot Davis said, “The GIDCC is a vital connector in our community - offering inclusive, accessible and empathetic support when it’s needed by some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Council’s package isn’t just about meeting urgent needs; it’s about building stronger, more coordinated services in Glen Innes – this is about place-based and need-based service delivery.”

With the Centre recently securing Not-for-Profit status, new grant opportunities have opened up, including eligibility for Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) funding. Council is also assisting with governance documentation and strategic planning to support ongoing development.

Elena Weatherall, Chairperson, Glen Innes & District Community Centre said, “We’re incredibly grateful for the support shown by Glen Innes Severn Council. This partnership strengthens our ability to continue providing vital services to the community and gives us hope for a more sustainable future. With Council’s backing, we can build towards a stronger, more connected Glen Innes.”

Mayor Davis added, “We know rural communities often miss out on the kind of integrated services that are taken for granted in cities. Our support for the GIDCC and the vision of a Community Service Hub is about changing that—so that residents here in Glen Innes can access the services they need, when and where they need them.”