On 1 July, Queensland Minister for Police and Corrective Services Hon. Mark Ryan MP attended an official sod turning ceremony that marks the start of construction on a critical new youth services facility in Moreton Bay.
The Property Industry Foundation, in partnership with Act for Kids, Liebke Builders and Budget Direct powered by Auto & General, commenced construction on the facility in Morayfield, which will support children and young people at risk of neglect or abuse in the Morayfield-Caboolture region. The facility will house three therapy rooms which will deliver speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and counselling services, and action-based intervention therapy.
“Sadly, this region has one of the highest numbers of vulnerable children, including double the nation’s average of at-risk prep aged children,” said Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines. “As it stands, there are limited trauma informed therapy services for children and young people in the Morayfield Caboolture region, which is what Act for Kids set out to change.”
“Hundreds of children and young people in the area will get access to the help they need. Our team of specialists will support these children, to help them overcome obstacles in their lives and achieve better long-term outcomes.”
Dr Katrina Lines, CEO Act for Kids
What was once an abandoned vet clinic will now transform into a centre for healing and support for vulnerable youth, with the Caboolture Sports Club granting a peppercorn lease on the property.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Property Industry Foundation, our long-term partner Budget Direct, powered by Auto & General, the Caboolture Sports Club, and the local council, we have reached this special milestone. Hundreds of children and young people in the area will get access to the help they need,” said Dr Lines. “Our team of specialists will support these children, to help them overcome obstacles in their lives and achieve better long-term outcomes.”
Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills said the project would meet significant demand in the northern Brisbane region offering a life raft to those in need. “In Queensland there are more than 4,500 young people who don’t have safe and secure housing and we know that early intervention programs, such as those offered by Act for Kids, are vital in ending youth homelessness. The Foundation are exceptionally proud to support the refurbishment of a disused building and would like to acknowledge and thank Auto and General and Liebke Builders, who without their generosity this project would not proceed.”
