After years of hard work, community groups in Moorooka now have a new base of operations with the opening of a new Community Centre today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government provided $3 million to fully fund the Moorooka Community Centre project.

“The Australian Government is strongly committed to community wellbeing,” Mr Truss said.

“That is why we are getting on with the job of delivering $314.2 million to almost 300 Community Development Grants projects across Australia, and have just launched the $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund to start in 2015–16.”

Senator for Queensland Matthew Canavan said the new centre features a multi-purpose community hall with a kitchen, office space and indoor and outdoor meeting facilities.

“With removable seating capacity for up to 110 people, groups will be able to hire the hall with its state of the art equipment, including a ceiling mounted projector and a modular stage,” Senator Canavan said.

“The office spaces will be leased to local not-for-profit community groups, providing an area where residents can easily access community services.

“We want the whole community to be able to use the centre, so it has been designed to be accessible for people with disabilities and all signage in the centre will be displayed in English, Arabic, Swahili and Dari to support the significant number of people of African heritage in the community.”

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Centre will give the community a new focus for community life and the chance to share in cultural and recreational activities.

“Council has already received expressions of interest from nine community groups that are looking to use the refurbished facilities and looks forward to finalising leasing opportunities in the near future,” Cr Quirk said.

“The new Moorooka Community Centre is located within walking distance to the Moorooka train station, commercial precinct and state school making it an accessible and convenient centre at the heart of the local community.”

Brisbane City Council purchased the formerly disused church building in July 2013 and works to transform the site into a modern and functional community hub started in February this year.