Construction is officially underway on the new Richmond Veterans’ and Families’ Hub, with NSW Minister for Veterans David Harris and Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman turning the first sod at the historic Richmond Court House.

The joint Australian and NSW government project is being delivered by RSL LifeCare through a $5.5 million Commonwealth Government grant.

The heritage-listed courthouse has been provided for the project by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Its adaptive reuse will preserve significant heritage features while creating a welcoming and accessible facility where current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and their families can access support, services and community connections close to home.

Richmond was selected because of the Hawkesbury’s longstanding connection to the Australian Defence Force. More than 7,700 serving personnel and 11,000 veterans and family members live in the region.

Services are already being delivered from a temporary hub at Windsor RSL.

Once completed, the Richmond facility will work alongside another Veterans’ and Families’ Hub under construction at the historic Bardia Barracks site in Ingleburn. Together, the two hubs will provide wellbeing services for more than 19,000 veterans and family members across south-western Sydney.

RSL LifeCare’s hub model provides veteran-focused services in one location, including advocacy, wellbeing programs, community activities and referrals. The hubs also connect veterans and their families with NSW Government assistance relating to housing, education, employment, health and other social services.

The new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency will work alongside the hubs to help people navigate services and find appropriate local support.

Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said more than $50 million was being invested to expand the national hub network.

“The delivery of hubs in places like the Hawkesbury, where there’s a significant veteran population, is all about making it easier and more convenient for veterans to get help, as well as forge strong connections with their local community,” Mr Keogh said.

Mr Harris said construction marked an important step towards providing a dedicated place for Hawkesbury veterans and their families.

“Richmond has a proud military heritage stretching back more than a century,” he said.

“By giving the historic Richmond Court House this new purpose, we are preserving an important piece of local heritage while creating a lasting community asset that will support veterans and their families for years to come.”

Ms Templeman said she was proud to have secured federal funding for the hub at the 2022 election.

“While the work of the hub has already begun, with services being delivered at the temporary location at Windsor RSL, the renovations of the old Richmond Court House will transform the service and bring it into the heart of the community,” she said.

RSL LifeCare CEO Drew Pearce said the hub would offer advocacy, wellbeing services, community programs and referral pathways.

“The Hawkesbury Veterans’ and Families’ Hub is a strong example of what can be achieved when governments and veteran organisations work together with a shared commitment to supporting veterans and their families,” he said.

The Richmond facility will join seven RSL LifeCare hubs already operating across NSW in Wyong, Maitland, Tweed Heads, Dee Why, Queanbeyan, Wagga Wagga and Nowra.

Further information is available at veterans.nsw.gov.au/support/richmond-court-house-revitalisation.