There are a number of vulnerable people in Warrnambool and district who have limited income, may not have a permanent residence to call home, and/or may not have access to laundry facilities. Some of these people also have limited showering facilities.

There are a number of charitable service providers who provide services for these people (Clients), such as food parcels, accommodation, clothing and health services, but there are limited opportunities for them to launder their clothes and have a shower at no cost.

During the off-peak tourist period (9 months of the year), the Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak opens up the laundry and shower facilities in the Surfside 2 Caravan Park in Pertobe Road on a Sunday afternoon for a 2-hour period. The club also operates a BBQ, and provides a social environment where Clients can attend, wash their clothes, have a shower, have a sausage and a cup of tea, and sit around for a chat.

The Warrnambool City Council, in partnership with Daybreak Rotary, wishes to extend the service currently provided by Rotary, to a 7-day a week service, and allow Rotary to continue its Sunday afternoon service.

The service objectives are to provide facilities and a service to Clients, as follows:

• Free, safe access to laundrette facilities for referred clients, 7 days a week;
• Free laundrette facilities, free shower and toilet facilities, free BBQ, tea, and coffee facilities for Clients each Sunday afternoon;
• A central Warrnambool site that is easily accessible via public transport, walkers, cyclists and car users;
• A site that respects Client’s privacy and is not in the public eye; and
• A safe, friendly environment, out of the weather, for Clients to sit around and have a BBQ and a chat on a Sunday afternoon.

A number of Council owned facilities have been considered to develop the service.

The Archie Graham Community Centre in Timor Street is considered to meet all the above service objectives. It has a room at the rear of the main building, which is currently utilised as a store room. Council is proposing to modify this room so that it can house commercial washing machines and dryers and operate as a laundrette. This laundrette will not be open for use by the general public.

Adjacent to the proposed laundry there is an outdoor undercover area proposed to be used by Rotary to continue their service of a Sunday afternoon, all year round.

Inside the main building there is also a kitchenette which could be used by Rotary or others, to provide cups of tea or coffee, and sit around and have a chat to the Clients. Also, in the main building, there is an existing toilet and shower area, which is not proposed to be changed, but would be available for use by Clients of Rotary on a Sunday afternoon.

Council is inviting tenders from experienced laundrette operators to provide a full laundrette service at the Archie Graham Community Centre. The proposed contract agreement would require the Contractor to supply and install the machines and provide the service for 12 months, with an option for extension for a further 12 months.