29 June 2022
In a recognition of the importance of the project, YWCA Canberra’s application to develop supported housing for women at risk of homelessness in Ainslie has been called in by the Minister for Planning and Land Management.
The not-for-profit has been seeking to develop land it owns in Ainslie into nine units to house older women on modest incomes and women with children escaping domestic violence, for the past two years. The development has been opposed by a small group of local residents, causing a costly delay to the project, which received $1.2 million in funding from the federal Government in 2019.
With the development application called-in, YWCA Canberra can now move forward to progress this important project, which will help increase supply of supported housing during what has been declared a significant housing crisis across Australia.
CEO of YWCA Canberra, Frances Crimmins, said the organisation is pleased that the Minister has exercised his call-in powers to help expedite the process for the YHomes development.
“The Minister’s call-in powers exist to ensure that important developments that have a clear benefit to the community are able to proceed in a timely manner. This means that we can start the process of making YHomes a reality, to support women and their families as soon as possible,” Ms Crimmins said.
“Our development has been through a DA process and public consultation period prior to the current DA which has been called in – the community has had ample time and opportunity to table their views, and YWCA Canberra has listened and adjusted our development plans each time.
“We are confident that our development has considered and incorporated the views of the community, and that the significant support from local residents for this important and purpose driven development will continue into the next phase of this process.
“We would like to thank Minister Gentleman for making an informed and considered decision in calling this application in.
“We are now excited to begin the process of drawing up building plans for this development, and look forward to working with our partners, supporters and key stakeholders to bring this development to life.”
Residents in support of the development have responded to the Ministerial call-in positively.
“As an Ainslie resident I am delighted to know that the YWCA’s housing project designed to meet an urgent and growing need is to proceed at last. Its residents will have affordable and safe accommodation which is close to transport, medical facilities and shops. Co-residence will provide the benefit of mutual support and efficiency in service delivery,” Ms Meridith Edwards, a local resident, said.
Another Ainslie resident, Tony Adams has closely followed the proposed development as he lives nearby. Mr Adams says that he and his family “…are very pleased to see it now proceeding, providing a vital housing service for a particularly needy group. The planning approval process has ensured that all local views have had a very good hearing and the right decision has now been made.”
YWCA Canberra will be seeking support from the construction industry to make this development a reality. Construction companies, materials suppliers, and other provider who would like to be part of this innovative, purpose-driven development, are invited to contact the organisation.
– ENDS –
Media contact: Zoya Patel, 0455 655 330, zoya.patel@ywca-canberra.org.au
23 May 2022
28 April 2022
16 March 2022
21 September 2021
31 August 2021
7 July 2021
YWCA Canberra has been selected to auspice the women’s safety alliance to inform and support national policy on violence against women and children. [Continue reading]
29 April 2021
15 April 2021
31 March 2021
22 February 2021
18 November 2020
31 August 2020
28 August 2020
6 August 2020
27 July 2020
20 May 2020
6 March 2020
6 March 2020
3 March 2020
25 February 2020
16 October 2019
Tonight, YWCA Canberra celebrates its 90th year serving the Canberra community and changing lives for the better at an event at the National Museum of Canberra. [Continue reading]
8 August 2019
Today YWCA Canberra launched Next Door, a new innovative housing support service for older women who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. [Continue reading]
6 May 2019
Today YWCA Canberra launched Rentwell, the first charitable property management service in the ACT to provide affordable rental accommodation to people on low incomes. [Continue reading]
17 April 2019
10 April: Seven entrepreneurial Canberra women were honoured this morning for their innovation and creativity, at YWCA Canberra’s annual 2019 Great Ydeas Innovation Breakfast. [Continue reading]
13 March 2019
YWCA Canberra has received a Chief Minister’s Canberra Gold Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the Canberra community throughout its 90 years of operation. [Continue reading]
7 March 2019
Voices for Change is a media advocacy program developed by national violence prevention agency Our Watch for women who have been subjected to violence to share their stories with the public and the media in a safe way that challenges the drivers of violence against women.This ACT first is a partnership between Domestic Violence Crisis Service and YWCA Canberra, who have been working with the six Advocates since last year to empower participants to speak confidently and with purpose to the community and media about violence against women and controlling relationships. [Continue reading]
28 February 2019
28 February 2019: Now in its ninth year, YWCA Canberra and its partners have supported women and girls in the Canberra region to bring their dreams to life through the Great Ydeas Small Grants Program, with applications opening this week. [Continue reading]
25 February 2019
25 February 2019: The YWCA Canberra has been recognised as an Employer of Choice by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for the fifth consecutive year. [Continue reading]
3 December 2018
2 November 2018: A unique event that replicates the fun of a school formal to celebrate Canberra’s young LGBTQIA* community is being held to coincide with the SpringOUT Pride Festival. [Continue reading]
23 August 2018
8 August 2018
6 June 2018
17 May 2018
2 May 2018
22 March 2018
7 March 2018
21 February 2018
21 November 2017
30 October 2017
4 September 2017
YWCA Canberra’s Winyu Early Childhood Service in Gungahlin has received the 2017 National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) ACT Play Your Part Award, and in doing so becomes the first childcare provider to be recognised in this category. [Continue reading]
16 August 2017
29 June 2017
29 May 2017
27 April 2017
16 March 2017
The She Leads College Conference is a full day leadership development event for girls in years 11 and 12, from the ACT and surrounding regions. The event will take place at the University of Canberra on Tuesday 21 March, and feature some of Australia’s most accomplished young women leaders. Hosted by YWCA Canberra, a feminist, not-for-profit organisation, the event will provide young women with the opportunity to explore their own leadership identity, challenge their perceptions of leadership, and consider how gender inequality may impact their experiences. [Continue reading]
13 March 2017
International advocate, author, and 2015 Queensland Young Citizen of the Year, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, will appear at a special She Leads In-Conversation event, hosted by YWCA Canberra on Wednesday 22 February at the University of Canberra. [Continue reading]
8 March 2017
In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2017, YWCA Canberra will host three women MLAs at a morning tea event at the ACT Legislative Assembly, to explore how they can ‘lead the change’ toward gender equality in the ACT. Deputy Chief Minister, Yvette Berry will join Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Nicole Lawder and Greens Member for Murrumbidgee, Caroline Le Couteur in a panel discussion, hosted by ABC journalist, Adrienne Francis. [Continue reading]
13 February 2017
In a report released today, YWCA Canberra has announced the impact of its Clubhouse program for 2016. The Clubhouse is an out-of-school, high-tech learning space that empowers young people in the Tuggeranong region to work with industry mentors to develop new skills, explore their ideas, and build confidence through the use of technology. [Continue reading]
25 January 2017
Construction of the state of the art, purpose-built, Fairley Early Childhood Education and Care is currently underway in Fairley Estate, Murrumbateman, NSW. An initiative of ArnoldCo and Hewlett Property Group, this innovative, open plan early childhood education and care facility is scheduled to be open and operational by June 2017. Approved to care for one hundred children from Murrumbateman and surrounding communities, the service will be managed and operated by YWCA Canberra. [Continue reading]
8 December 2016
16 October 2016
This week, ACT community organisations will host a suite of events for Anti-Poverty Week, highlighting the economic and social inequality that exists in Canberra. [Continue reading]
6 October 2016
This Friday 7 October, political leaders of all three major parties will attend a ‘town hall’ style event to hear directly from community members on their concerns about poverty and hardship in the ACT. [Continue reading]
5 October 2016
YWCA Canberra has released an election scorecard today, ranking the three major parties on their commitment to address gender equality and social inclusion ahead of the ACT election. [Continue reading]
9 September 2016
YWCA Canberra has welcomed policy announcements from the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens today to boost much needed support for women and young people in the community. [Continue reading]
1 September 2016
The Lanyon Valley community will come together tomorrow for an open day at YWCA Canberra’s Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre. [Continue reading]
4 July 2016
The Canberra community will come together tomorrow to celebrate NAIDOC Week, a time to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. [Continue reading]
8 June 2016
YWCA Canberra has today welcomed the ACT Government’s announcement of $21.42 million in funding for domestic violence services and prevention in the 2016-17 ACT Budget, under the ‘Safer Families’ package. [Continue reading]
27 May 2016
On Saturday 28 May, YWCA Canberra will host a special open day at its innovative Winyu Early Childhood Service, to celebrate one year of providing cutting edge early childhood education to the community in Gungahlin. [Continue reading]
23 May 2016
This winter Canberrans are invited to give up their devices as part of the first ever YWCA Canberra Tech Freeze Appeal. [Continue reading]
12 May 2016
A leading robotics creator, the CEO of an international charity and a news anchor turned sustainability advocate are among a stellar line up of speakers at the 2016 She Leads Conference, occurring at QT Canberra on 17 May 2016. [Continue reading]
27 April 2016
The successful recipients of YWCA Canberra’s Great Ydeas Small Grants Program have been announced, with seven local girls and women supported to help pursue a diverse range of exciting new projects. [Continue reading]
8 March 2016
Over 50 Canberra cafes will join in a special campaign to run on International Women’s Day –on Tuesday 8 March, raising awareness of violence against women. [Continue reading]
24 February 2016
A new report released this week demonstrates significant positive outcomes from the first year of operation for the YWCA Clubhouse, including the launch of innovative start-ups and access to industry pathways for young people into science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). [Continue reading]
22 February 2016
YWCA Canberra have launched the annual Great Ydeas Small Grants Program, which provides funding to help Canberra women and girls to achieve their goals through innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership. [Continue reading]
10 December 2015
10 December 2015
3 December 2015
26 November 2015
A special film and discussion event will be held on Wednesday 2 December in Canberra as part of the global 16 Days of Activism To End Gender-Based Violence campaign. [Continue reading]
11 November 2015
5 November 2015
28 October 2015
Today YWCA Canberra received an ACT Children’s Week Award for spearheading the Child Aware Local Initiative in South Tuggeranong. [Continue reading]
23 October 2015
8 July 2015
9 June 2015
2 June 2015
YWCA Canberra has today congratulated the ACT Government on its commitment outlined in the 2015-16 Budget to fund primary violence prevention initiatives in Canberra schools. [Continue reading]
20 May 2015
18 May 2015
11 May 2015
YWCA Canberra has expressed concerns that the potential positive impacts of the Federal Government’s new Child Care Subsidy will be limited by its backflip on paid parental leave, and cuts to the family tax benefit. [Continue reading]
1 May 2015
28 April 2015
17 April 2015
Australian women’s organisations have signed a joint open letter to the Prime Minister calling for stepped up funding and leadership to address the root cause of violence against women, gender inequality. [Continue reading]
7 April 2015
YWCA Canberra has today welcomed Minister Joy Burch’s commitment to primary prevention of violence, but is concerned regarding the specifics of implementation into schools. [Continue reading]
13 March 2015
8 March 2015
This International Women’s Day, YWCA Canberra is launching a campaign calling on the ACT Government to make preventing violence against women a priority. [Continue reading]
20 February 2015
YWCA Canberra’s Executive Director, Frances Crimmins is calling on the Social Services Minister, Scott Morrison, to ensure that quality, community-based, properly regulated childcare is not lost in the Coalition’s new policy. [Continue reading]
20 February 2015
YWCA Canberra is inviting Canberra women and girls to follow their dreams and aspirations, and apply for a Great Ydeas grant. [Continue reading]
11 December 2014
YWCA Canberra received a Partners In Prevention ACT award in the community category last night for its redeveloped Relationship Things educational resource. [Continue reading]
24 November 2014
Eighty per cent of young women, aged 15-30, do not believe gender equality exists in Australia, according to the latest She Speaks survey. But the good news is that 71 per cent of the young women surveyed still aspire to be leaders. [Continue reading]
17 November 2014
To celebrate the festive season, YWCA Canberra's Frugal Feast is fun and interesting activities combined with fundraising - raising funds for food relief in Canberra. [Continue reading]
12 November 2014
YWCA Canberra has been cited among a prestigious list of organisations as an inaugural Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE). [Continue reading]
11 November 2014
Minister for Community Services Mick Gentleman is putting his back into volunteering, unloading food stuffs at YWCA Canberra's Lanyon Food Hub, as part of '25 Days of Volunteering'. [Continue reading]
14 October 2014
This Friday 17 October, YWCA Canberra will mark the international YWCA Week Without Violence by relaunching Relationship Things, a sex education resource that emphasises respectful relationships. Launched at a panel event in partnership with the ANU Gender Institute, ‘Relationship Things: what young people need to know’, will bring together experts to explore topics such as negotiating consent, how to teach respectful relationships and new approaches to sex education. [Continue reading]
10 October 2014
YWCA Canberra will launch the ACT’s first Computer Clubhouse at a grand opening event in Richardson today. [Continue reading]
29 September 2014
YWCA Canberra is proud to announce it will be hosting the Canberra launch of Julia Gillard’s biography, My Story. Ms Gillard’s three years as Australia’s first female Prime Minister will be remembered as one of the most volatile and dramatic periods in Australia’s recent political history. [Continue reading]
18 August 2014
YWCA Canberra launched its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at a lunchtime event at the Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre last Wednesday. [Continue reading]
18 June 2014
Today YWCA Canberra launched a campaign, Fiver4Food which calls on Canberrans to support its emergency food relief service, the Food Hub. [Continue reading]
16 May 2014
More than 170 aspiring, emerging and established women leaders joined together on Tuesday to gain expertise, resources and encouragement to pursue leadership roles. [Continue reading]
16 May 2014
More than 170 aspiring and emerging women leaders joined together on Tuesday to hear from some of Australia’s most accomplished women. [Continue reading]
9 May 2014
There has never been a more important time to support Australian women to become leaders. YWCA of Canberra Executive Director Frances Crimmins says there is a disturbing lack of women at the top echelons of Australian business and political life. [Continue reading]
29 April 2014
Five young women were awarded with Great Ydeas Small Grants by the Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher at the YWCA Canberra’s Round the World Breakfast event this morning. [Continue reading]
16 April 2014
The ACT Government has today awarded a grant of $5,000 to the YWCA Canberra to provide ten scholarships for young women to attend the inaugural She Leads Conference on Tuesday 13 May. [Continue reading]
27 March 2014
An innovative, evidence-based women’s leadership program will be launched tonight by the Honourable Gai Brodtmann MP at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. [Continue reading]
11 December 2013
A violence prevention program targeting children aged nine to 12 was the recipient of the Community Award at last night’s ACT Partners in Prevention Awards at the ACT Legislative Assembly. [Continue reading]
22 May 2013
The YWCA Canberra in collaboration with the ACT Government have announced the two recipients of $5,000 scholarships for the 2013 She Leads – Diploma of Management. [Continue reading]
20 February 2013
Over the last two years the YWCA Canberra has been pursuing the aspiration of becoming an affordable housing provider. As a provider of homelessness services, we are increasingly concerned about the limited number of exit points for families and individuals who have entered our services, stabilised the issues that led them to seek assistance, and are in need of their own accommodation. [Continue reading]
23 April 2012
The YWCA Canberra announced the 2013 recipients at the World YWCA Day Round the World Breakfast this morning. [Continue reading]