A LONG-running support service for vulnerable residents in Murwillumbah will close on March 26 after the Murwillumbah Community Centre confirmed it can no longer operate Nullum House due to funding shortages and growing safety concerns for volunteers.<\/p>\n
Nullum House operates as a social inclusion and drop-in centre, providing free meals, shower and laundry facilities, material aid, social programs and support groups for people experiencing homelessness, social isolation, mental health challenges and financial hardship.<\/p>\n
The centre announced the decision in a statement shared on social media on February 18, saying it had explored all avenues to continue the service but had been unable to secure the resources needed to keep it running safely.<\/p>\n
While Nullum House has largely operated without dedicated funding, a one-year Federal Government grant in 2025 supported case management and services.<\/p>\n
MCC said that support was always intended as a short-term measure and further financial assistance had not been secured despite advocacy and grant applications.<\/p>\n
A long-standing Federal emergency relief grant of $7,000, previously used to purchase food for Nullum House, was also redirected to other services last year.<\/p>\n
MCC said increasing complexity among service users had raised safety concerns for volunteers.<\/p>\n
“MCC cannot safely return to running Nullum House without qualified staff to manage challenging and dangerous situations which are on the increase,” the statement read.<\/p>\n
“Our volunteers deserve to be safe and adequately supported.”<\/p>\n
MCC committee member Carmen Stewart said volunteer safety had become a key factor in the decision.<\/p>\n
“Someone needs to be responsible for a decision on safety,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The vast majority of service users are doing the right thing, it’s just that there are one or two external users who cause trouble and put people at risk.”<\/p>\n
“I felt we were waiting for a dangerous situation to unfold.”<\/p>\n
The closure is expected to affect many local residents who rely on the service for basic necessities and social connection.<\/p>\n
One community member described the centre as a lifeline during financial hardship.<\/p>\n
“I went to Nullum House for a food hamper,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I was left with no money for food each week after paying huge rent, car loan and child support on my modest wage.”<\/p>\n
“I left there with enough food to get me through, and hope that things were going to be okay.”<\/p>\n
Former MCC community services coordinator Amanda Lindh said the closure could have significant impacts for vulnerable residents.<\/p>\n
“Low-income residents already facing housing stress or food insecurity will lose consistent access to meals and hygiene facilities,” she said.<\/p>\n
“When informal support disappears, formal systems see the consequences.”<\/p>\n
“Once these services are gone, rebuilding trust and connection is extremely difficult.<\/p>\n
“You can replace a meal, but it’s much harder to replace a sense of belonging.”<\/p>\n
Although the drop-in service will cease on March 26, MCC will continue offering information and referral services, frozen meals and some grocery support from its main centre between 9am and 1pm from Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n
Its MCC Food Hub social enterprise will also remain open, providing low-cost and some free groceries on Wednesdays and Thursdays.<\/p>\n
Community, not-for-profit or faith-based groups interested in providing services from the Nullum House site have been encouraged to contact the centre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A LONG-running support service for vulnerable residents in Murwillumbah will close on March 26 after the Murwillumbah Community Centre confirmed it can no longer operate Nullum House due to funding shortages and growing safety concerns for volunteers. Nullum House operates as a social inclusion and drop-in centre, providing free meals, shower and laundry facilities, material […]<\/p>\n