Construction set to begin on new Vinnies base at Mill Lane Glenorchy

The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) is pleased to announce that construction is set to begin on its new, state-of-the-art southern base at Mill Lane in Glenorchy.

The new precinct will bring together several existing Vinnies special works, including St Vincent Industries, Tas Textiles and a new opportinuty shop, while supporting essential community services for southern Tasmania.

Vinnies Tasmania president Corey McGrath said the new facility would allow the organisation to deliver even more impactful services.

“The Mill Lane Precinct will provide a central and accessible location for our staff, volunteers, and supported workers, enabling us to enhance the support we offer to vulnerable individuals and families - across the state, but particularly across the northern suburbs of greater Hobart” he said.
“This project is not just about infrastructure, but creating opportunities for collaboration and community engagement.”

“The Mill Lane Precinct will allow us to respond more effectively to the needs of the community. With expanded emergency relief services, including a dedicated food pantry and a permanent base for Loui’s Van, we’ll be better positioned to support Hobart’s northern suburbs and beyond.

“This development is one of the most significant projects Vinnies has undertaken in Tasmania and will become a statewide resource, offering spaces for collaboration and growth.”

The new precinct will also feature shared spaces for a range of activites and connections, offering areas that are well laid out for training and administrative functions, with a broader dining area for staff and volunteers also promoting integration across the Society’s diverse operations.

In addition, the project includes innovative community engagement elements, such as projects designed to recycle oregon timber joists into lunchroom furniture, plus raising indoor and outdoor plants for installation throughout the centre, helping to foster a sense of community ownership and involvement.

Vos Construction and Joinery has been awarded the $4.8m construction contract with the project expected to take approximately nine months for completion.

Project Manager Keven Bennett said Vos Construction was excited to announce its partnership with Vinnies.

“This important project offers us a unique opportunity to contribute to critical infrastructure for Vinnies while positively impacting the Tasmanian community,” he said.

“The new facility will promote efficiencies with multi-use spaces and shared resources being a critical driver for the development while creating new opportunities for training, aligning with Vos’ core values of developing Tasmanian talent from local communities.

“This project will provide employment and upskilling opportunities for Vos employees, subcontractors and suppliers with more than 40 people expected to be employed throughout the project.

“Vos is committed to supporting and encouraging local industry participation, fostering local economic growth, building a brighter future for Tasmania and investing in its people.”

The development will be undertaken in two stages, with the first stage focused on creating workspaces for St Vincent Industries, Tas Textiles, the Southern Regional Office and a new emergency relief hub.

This hub will include a food pantry and new Loui’s Van kitchen, with one of the Loui’s Vans to be permanently based on-site to assist those in need throughout the northern suburbs of Hobart.

Stage two will see the refurbishment of the existing Tas Textiles factory to accommodate a new and improved Vinnies Retail Store, offering better parking and enhanced facilities for customers.