New social housing name honours committed community worker

30 July 2018

A social housing project in Caboolture will be named after a man who has worked tirelessly to serve the local community for more than 20 years.

State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said the 20-unit complex would be called Kevin Van Katwijk Place.

“Kevin is a champion of the people and has supported many organisations in the area focussed on providing better outcomes for people in need,” he said.

“He was a founding member of the Moreton Bay Housing and Homelessness Network, was president of the Caboolture Domestic Violence Service for several years and also chairperson of the North Brisbane Housing Solutions Network.

“Kevin established the Deception Bay Women’s Shelter for people experiencing domestic violence as part of the Deception Bay, Burpengary, Narangba Welfare Council and has held the role of treasurer for the Arcady House Youth Refuge.

“He has also developed a range of tenant information material to assist people access rental accommodation and maintain a tenancy – especially young people, people with a disability and those from a non-English speaking background.”

Mark Ryan said the $6.06 million project had not only provided 20 new homes but also supported the jobs of about 120 construction workers.

“This project was built by Paynter Dixon, and provided work for local contractors and trade apprentices since construction started in April 2017.

“The development includes seven fully accessible units to assist people with mobility impairment.

“These include features such as level thresholds, wider doorways and halls as well as provision for handrails, making them particularly suitable for people in wheelchairs.”