The Nest: Bundaberg’s New Community Hub
In this Partner Up podcast episode by Welcome to Bundaberg, we meet Nancy from Impact Community Services to talk about the launch of The Nest Bundaberg’s new child, family, and community hub. This newly endorsed name, chosen by the community through a public consultation, reflects the hub's purpose: a safe and inclusive space for families to connect, access services, and thrive.
The Nest is more than just a building. It's a response to the local need for accessible, integrated support services. Nancy shares how Bundaberg residents, service providers, and families have shaped the hub from the very beginning. Community input has influenced everything from the name and murals to furniture selection and the types of services offered within the space. These include legal services, mental health clinicians, community connectors, outreach workers, and education partners.
One key goal of The Nest is to support people where they’re at, offering wraparound services that reduce the need to navigate multiple systems in different locations. It reflects a whole-of-community approach that places dignity, access, and collaboration at the centre of support.
Nancy explains that the project grew from conversations about how families were struggling to access help efficiently. It wasn’t about building something new from the top down it was about listening to what was already being said and co-creating a solution. The Nest stands as a model of place-based collaboration, where local people inform, shape, and lead meaningful change.
Looking ahead, The Nest will host events and community gatherings to foster belonging and reduce isolation. With an emphasis on early intervention and prevention, its role in the region is set to grow.
Whether it’s providing a space for workshops or making services easier to access, The Nest is quickly becoming a community-led solution to long-standing local challenges. As Nancy shares, “It doesn’t have to be one big thing. Lots of little things can form part of the solution.”
