THE finishing touches are being made to the state-of-the-art new Cairns Meals on Wheels (MoW) headquarters at Westcourt.
The fit-for-purpose and specially-designed building will open for business on Friday, August 29.
Cairns Local News was given an exclusive tour of the premises earlier this week as tradies worked frantically to finish the $7 million building in Gatton St.
MoW chief executive officer Chris Van Dorssen said demand for their services had never been greater as cost-of-living pressures led many people to take up their good value meal offerings.
He said the facility was designed for the next 20 years and had been completed on budget but was a month behind schedule because heartless thieves stole copper wiring in the building which had to be replaced and reinstalled.
Mr Van Dorssen said the premises could be self-sufficient with enough water and auxiliary power supplies to last seven days in the event of an emergency, such as a cyclone.
Solar power provides all electricity needs except for at night or when there is not enough sunlight.
The property at 279 Gatton St has dual access with an entrance off Lyons St, off-street as well as plenty of on-street parking, disabled spaces and a drive-through pick-up area under cover to protect volunteer drivers and deliverers from the rain and sun.
The front entrance includes a reception area, work stations, a CEO’s office and board room.
Around the back are two large loading docks as well as spacious dry and cold storage areas for fresh produce, two freezers and two blast chillers to freeze freshly-cooked meals in a matter of minutes.
Large kitchen
The 130sqm kitchen is a chef’s delight – three times the size of the current Barlow Park facility – and has extensive food preparation benches dedicated to soups, desserts, salads and sandwiches.
There are five ovens, including two new ones, as well as a large soup kettle, gas cooktops, small and large bratt pans and under-shelf refrigeration.
There is a large walk-in pantry. The kitchen can prepare 5000 meals a week, Monday to Friday.
The building is fully-airconditioned and includes extra windows to maximise natural light.
Volunteers have their own dedicated relaxation and training area and lunch room.
“Our volunteers are critical to us. We provide morning tea every day and they can come here and relax before they go out into all weathers delivering meals,” Mr Van Dorssen said.
“This a special place for them, we have to look after them, we rely on them so much and what they do for us is increasing.
“Some of them have been with us for 20-plus years, they don’t complain because they are so dedicated.”
At least 20-year life
Mr Van Dorssen said the building was designed for the next 20 years. It is the biggest MoW in the Far North and also provides meals for the Marlin Coast MoW, delivers to Innisfail twice a week and frozen meals to Mission Beach once a month.
“We have 900 clients and that is increasing because the cost of living is skyrocketing.” he said.
“People prefer to buy our good value meals and have them delivered because it’s cheaper than shopping at the supermarket and there is a certain amount of wastage too.
“They buy the staples such as milk, bread and coffee and then we provide their meals.”
Mr Van Dorssen said people could also walk in off the street and buy meals from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Handover on Wednesday
The building was to be handed over last Wednesday and there will be orientation days on August 23 and 24 before the service closes for two days while the shift is made from Barlow Park to Gatton St. An official opening will be held in October.
Cairns MoW has nine staff, including three chefs and a kitchen hand, 97 volunteers (20 required daily Monday to Friday) to deliver more than 800 meals daily in 10 runs a day.
Keir Queensland were the main contractors.
A Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) spokesman said the new, purpose-built facility was made possible by a $5m investment overseen by GIICA.
Games-related funding
He said the funding was separate from the Barlow Park Stadium upgrade budget and came from the 2024–25 state budget to support community clubs and associations impacted by games-related venue upgrades.
“The project was delivered in partnership with Cairns Regional Council, which secured a long-term lease for the site and oversaw construction through its contracting partner,” the spokesman said. “Meals on Wheels contributed to support the fit-out and relocation, ensuring the new space meets the needs of staff, volunteers and clients. All parties agreed the best outcome was a permanent move to a dedicated facility, ensuring uninterrupted service to the community.”
For more about Cairns MoW visit https://bit.ly/3UUHcUD
