The Mill Lane Precinct located in Glenorchy is an exciting new development for the St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania. It brings together a number of existing operations of our Society and supports a range of new activities designed to best support the community.

Most particularly, this site will provide a central and accessible location for members to deliver assistance to those in need across the northern suburbs of Hobart and beyond. A new emergency relief hub (including a food pantry) will be established at the precinct, providing much needed support and services to the disadvantaged in the northern suburbs of Hobart and surrounding areas.  This will potentially expand the range and reach of services provided to our Companions in Hobart.  There will be a new Loui’s Van kitchen, with one of the Loui’s Vans permanently based at the new site.  

Co-location of the Supported Worker Employment Enterprises, St Vincent Industries (SVI) and Tas Textiles (TT), will promote efficiencies through the potential for shared spaces and resources. But more importantly, this will provide opportunities for joint training, community activities and potential for growth of both enterprises. We are keen to encourage those who have an interest in working across the various aspects of our enterprises to be delivered from this single site. 

Relocation of the Glenorchy Vinnies Store will deliver a better retail experience for the community, including for our Companions seeking support, while also resulting in significant efficiencies and cost savings.  The new store will be larger and better located with fit-out appropriate to the range and volume of stock..  Importantly, this provides a valuable resource of affordable items, including clothing and homewares in a convenient location. This store will also provide additional training and employment opportunities for supported workers from SVI and TT. 

Most of the staff from our Southern Regional Office, temporarily accommodated in the cbdwill be relocated to the Mill Lane Precinct.  The co-location of these staff with other Vinnies activities will give a greater sense of an integrated organisation with the potential for greater collaboration, opportunities for new ways of doing things, and a culture of one organisation serving the needs of our Companions.

The Mill Lane Precinct will have some additional space to allow for the future establishment of appropriate social enterprises such as food preparation, including catering and a café.  The common spaces have been designed to engender a sense of community embracing organisations and individuals alike. With the potential for joint activities, collaborations by members, staff and volunteers, plus the broader community, the opportunity for new relationships and different ways of assisting our Companions and conducting the business of the Society is immediately evident. It will be noted that the site is adjacent to the Glenorchy campus of Guilford Young College and is already part of a vibrant community with like-minded neighbours.

Mill Lane Precinct has been designed, and will be developed, as a statewide Vinnies resource aimed at better serving our community and Companions.  It will include offices and meeting spaces for visiting members and staff from across all corners of Tasmania.  The common areas have been designed with a view to hosting local and statewide meetings, conferences, workshops, training and events.  It will also be ideal for appropriate public meetings and events which are in keeping with Vinnies values, ethos and core functions.