community services Archives - Springfield Lakes

Meet the New Springfield Hub Making DV Support Easier to Reach

Frontline domestic and family violence (DFV) support services are now available seven days a week in the heart of Greater Springfield, following the opening of the new HOPE Hub at Orion Springfield Central.

The hub officially opened to the public on 1 June 2026, following a ministerial unveiling several days earlier. On 26 May, state leaders and community partners gathered at Orion Springfield Central to cut the ribbon on the purpose-built space, paving the way for staff onboarding and final preparations ahead of the public rollout.

Operated by Queensland charity Beyond DV, the Springfield facility marks the second HOPE Hub in the state and the first major delivery under a $7.8 million, five-year investment package. The funding rollout will ultimately see three new hubs established across Queensland over the coming years.

Low-stigma, high-access support

Placing the specialized recovery hub inside a bustling retail precinct is a deliberate strategy designed to lower barriers for people seeking help. For victim-survivors navigating complex or unsafe domestic situations, visiting a major shopping centre is vastly easier and safer than walking into a dedicated service agency or police station.

*Photo Credit: NULLA Furniture/Facebook*

The service directly targets the Springfield-Ripley corridor, which remains the fastest-growing residential footprint in Queensland. The rapid population influx has historically outpaced the delivery of localized social infrastructure, making the addition of a centralized crisis and recovery asset a critical milestone for the expanding region.

The layout features a welcoming reception area, private consultation rooms for sensitive casework, a dedicated training room, and an outdoor balcony breakout area. The facility is fully staffed across all seven days by a dedicated team, including a trained counsellor, a receptionist, and a program coordinator.

“Having the Springfield HOPE Hub located within Orion Springfield Central helps make support more visible, approachable and accessible for people who may otherwise never seek assistance,” said Beyond DV Founder and Managing Director Carolyn Robinson.

“The model is designed to remove barriers by creating a safe environment where people can walk in, ask questions, seek advice and access practical help.”

A comprehensive framework for recovery

The hub delivers free, confidential wrap-around support that spans immediate crisis response and long-term rebuilding programs. Community members can access trauma-informed counselling, legal and health advocacy, housing assistance, and financial guidance through specialized “Money Clinics.”

The service framework mirrors the highly successful pilot program at Carindale, which opened in March 2022 and has since logged more than 6,000 community interactions. Experience from the Carindale site shows that these hubs also serve as vital conduits for law enforcement; police officers frequently utilize the trauma-informed environment to conduct sensitive victim interviews when individuals feel unsafe speaking at a station.

Mirvac Orion Springfield Central Portfolio Manager Melanie Hodge expressed pride in the partnership, noting that hosting the space allows the precinct to leverage its position as a central community destination to make a genuine difference in families’ lives.

Support beyond the hub

The rollout of local support infrastructure coincides with stricter enforcement mechanisms active across the state. Under updates to the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012, Queensland Police have been utilizing Police Protection Directions (PPDs) since 1 January 2026. These directions allow field officers to issue immediate, on-the-spot protection orders lasting up to 12 months against perpetrators, eliminating the dangerous lag time spent waiting for a court date.

Combined with community assets like the HOPE Hub, the parallel strategy aims to ensure that when a victim-survivor takes the initial step to reach out, immediate legal protection and long-term recovery support are both readily available.

Accessing assistance

The Springfield HOPE Hub operates seven days a week at Orion Springfield Central.

Online Resources: Visit Beyond DV for service details, or click here for statewide support directories.
Crisis Support: Anyone experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence can contact the hub directly via Beyond DV. The national 1800RESPECT hotline is also available 24/7 on 1800 737 732. In an immediate emergency, always call 000.

Published 26-June-2026

New HOPE Hub Planned At Springfield Central

Photo Credit: Google Maps

A new HOPE Hub is planned for Orion Springfield Central, with a dedicated support service set to assist people affected by domestic and family violence.

Expanding Access To Local Support

The HOPE Hub will be established at Orion Springfield Central and is scheduled to open in early 2026. It will be the first of three new hubs supported under a $7.8 million funding package allocated across five years, with two additional locations expected to open during the 2026–27 period.

The Springfield Central site is intended to provide a central access point for support services within a well-used retail environment, allowing people to seek assistance in a familiar and discreet setting.

domestic violence support — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Services And Delivery Model

The hub will be operated by Beyond DV, a community-based organisation that supports victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. The service model focuses on wrap-around support, including trauma-informed programs and pathways to social, health, housing, legal and financial assistance.

Locating the hub within a shopping centre is designed to reduce barriers to access by providing a safe and private entry point for people seeking help.

Building On An Established Approach

The Springfield Central hub follows an existing HOPE Hub model that has been operating in Brisbane for several years. The model brings multiple recovery-focused services together in one location, enabling people to access information, referrals and longer-term support through a single service point.

Services are expected to be available seven days a week once the hub becomes operational.

Springfield Central HOPE Hub — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Community Response

Management at Orion Springfield Central has welcomed the introduction of the HOPE Hub, noting its role in providing a safe and inclusive space to address domestic and family violence and related wellbeing concerns within the Springfield community.

What Happens Next

Planning and site preparation for the Springfield Central HOPE Hub will continue ahead of its early 2026 opening. Once operational, the hub will form part of a broader network of HOPE Hubs designed to improve access to recovery and support services for people affected by domestic and family violence across Queensland.

Published 29-Dec-2025

Tivoli Site Shift Prioritises Community Services and Food Relief in Ipswich

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Goodness Enterprises has shifted its focus toward community support in Ipswich, following the closure of the Tivoli Drive-In and the sale of part of its Chuwar property.

Community Focus Takes Priority in Ipswich

Goodness Enterprises and Tivoli Social Enterprises are now directing their efforts toward community needs, moving away from entertainment after the Tivoli Drive-In ended operations. The organisation is prioritising food assistance, youth employment pathways, koala conservation and support for vulnerable residents across the region.

This change in direction follows operational pressures that affected the venue’s long-term viability, including increasing costs, reduced attendance and extended periods of wet weather.

Background and History of the Tivoli Site

The Tivoli Drive-In opened in 1976 in Chuwar and operated until 2000. It was later purchased and reopened in 2008 with a focus on affordable family entertainment. Earlier weekly attendance exceeded 300 families, though recent numbers had fallen below 100.

The cinema’s closure was confirmed in November after identifying close to $1 million in required maintenance and upgrades, including ageing projection equipment and carpark works. A run of storms and forecasts of a wet summer contributed to the decision.

*Photo Credit: Tivoli Drive-in Theatre/Facebook*

Industry Pressures and Changing Habits

Reduced new cinema releases and the growing popularity of streaming services affected audience numbers in recent years. These pressures reflect wider industry changes, with five drive-in cinemas remaining across Queensland compared with more than 50 during the 1960s.

Land Sale and Plans for a Central Ipswich Hub

To support community programs, eight acres of the 20-acre Tivoli site have been sold to help fund a new centrally located community centre in Ipswich. The hub will provide space to warehouse food supplies, operate a community supermarket and expand outreach efforts. The shift positions the organisation closer to the Ipswich CBD, with the new centre planned for 2026.

The remaining 12 acres of the Tivoli property, together with an additional 30 acres of neighbouring land purchased by the organisation, will support koala conservation and a First Nations heritage area. Employment training for young people, including those facing barriers to work, will continue.

community services — *Photo Credit: Goodness Enterprises*

Community Need in the Ipswich Region

The Tivoli food co-op currently supports between 3,000 and 5,000 people each week. The greater Ipswich and West Moreton area is estimated to have between 138,000 and 145,000 food-vulnerable residents. Homelessness in the region has risen at a rate higher than elsewhere in Queensland.

Local Sentiment

Residents who regularly visited the Tivoli Drive-In expressed disappointment at the closure, noting its accessibility and suitability for families. Many had attended for years and viewed it as a convenient community activity.

Ongoing Operations on Site

The Tivoli food co-op continues to operate from Tuesday to Saturday. The organisation is also selling remaining memorabilia from the drive-in, including speakers. Public garage sales will be held at 50 Coal Road, Chuwar, on 29 November, 6 December and 13 December.

What Lies Ahead

Goodness Enterprises will continue expanding its community programs, with further updates expected on the koala conservation park and the opening of the new Goodness Centre in 2026. Long-term plans include supporting up to 100,000 people weekly through expanded food distribution.

Published 25-Nov-2025