Moreton Centre Opens

The Moreton Centre will be run by our charity partner, Act for Kids, following a remarkable community collaboration between multiple organisations to provide more support to vulnerable and at-risk young people and their families in the region.

What was once an abandoned vet clinic has been transformed into a modern youth services facility, which will deliver evidence-based intervention therapy. The Moreton – Caboolture region has some of the highest rates of vulnerable children in Australia showing there is great demand for local support services.

“With the introduction of this facility to the Moreton Bay region, our vulnerable youth now have a safe-haven, providing infrastructure and programs to help rebuild their lives and start fresh. The opportunities provided to these youth will completely change their lives for the better.”

Pat Liebke, Liebke Builders

The Moreton Centre was achieved through a partnership between The Property Industry Foundation, Auto & General and the Caboolture Sports Club, which generously provided a peppercorn lease to Act for Kids, after being approached by the Hon. Mark Ryan, State Member for Morayfield in 2020. “It puts a genuine smile on my face to see the Act for Kids Moreton Centre complete and open for business,” Ryan said. “I’m proud to have played my part in bringing the various parties together to transform the old vet clinic into a great new community asset.”

The Moreton Centre was spearheaded by our Building Partner Liebke Builders, who called on trusted trades to get the job done. “Liebke Builders are long-term partners of Auto & General,” said Director Pat Liebke. “We were thrilled when Gerry O’Shaughnessy asked us to collaborate on this project. We were looking to be a part of a project like this, where our business can help support our local community in a truly meaningful way. This project will change the lives of countless at-risk youth in the Moreton region.”

Construction Project Manager, Nick Prestwood came on board through JLL Project & Development Services, managing consultants and contractors from early feasibility and design, through to project completion. “The opportunity to manage the Haven Project in Moreton was shared with me through the Foundation’s Board of Advisors and it has been a tremendous privilege to be a part of this,” Prestwood said. “Overall, it was a fantastic, coordinated effort from various consultants and contractors to bring this project together.”

Nick was impressed by the shared commitment and efforts from the property and construction industry, rolling up their sleeves to make sure the centre was completed to a very high standard. “Aside from the funding the Foundation offers, the way they utilise experienced property industry professionals to manage and drive these projects is a brilliant and unique initiative, which offers so much for their clients and recipients. JLL was happy to give our time pro-bono to support this important project.”

“Early intervention programs, like those offered by Act for Kids, are vital in ending youth homelessness, so the Foundation is thrilled to support the opening of the Moreton Centre, which will play a crucial role in accommodating the demand for safe and supportive spaces in the area,” said Property Industry Foundation Queensland State Manager Antoinette Rusby-Perera. “The Foundation would like to thank Auto and General Insurance, Liebke Builders and the key suppliers and supporters who share our vision of a better future for Queenslanders in need.”