Vacant, unused cadet’s building transformed into much needed short-term crisis accommodation and community hub
A once-vacant Transport for NSW-owned building in Armidale has been refurbished into a safe and vibrant hub for the local community.
After years of being empty and subject to vandalism, the former cadets building on Brown Street has been transformed into a new facility called Trackside, following a $1.8 million refurbishment funded by the NSW Government.
Managed by specialist homelessness service provider Women’s Shelter Armidale (WSA), Trackside will offer short-term crisis accommodation and support to help people transition toward stable, long-term housing.
The facility includes training rooms, counselling spaces, chill-out zones, a commercial kitchen, and laundry facilities, providing essential services to those in need.
The project was delivered in partnership between Transport for NSW, Women’s Shelter Armidale, and the Transport Asset Manager (TAM), with construction carried out by Bluewater Group, an Indigenous-owned and operated company.