Canberra women's skill centre faces closure after government declines funding
Women's Shed Canberra faces closure unless it finds investment by February 2027.
Women's Shed Canberra teaches practical skills to women. The shed supported 590 participants in 2025.
Founder Sunita Kotnala started a petition calling for multi-year funding to prevent closure. The petition got close to 1,800 signatures.
The ACT Government did not give funding in response. Infrastructure Canberra worked with the shed over 18 months to fix building concerns where possible.
The government is looking at a roughly $10,000 three-phase power installation the shed asked for. But it has not given other funds.
Two recent grants will pay for the group until June 2027. But these do not guarantee money after that.
Kotnala said the grants, about $20,000 for each program, barely pay for tool replacement and running costs. If the group cannot find investment by February or March 2027, she said it will likely close.
All current work is done by volunteers.
- 590 participants
- Women supported in 2025
- Close to 1,800
- Petition signatures
- 20,000 dollars
- Recent grant per program
- 10,000 dollars
- Three-phase power cost estimate
Why it mattersThe shed gives flexible, low-cost hands-on training that formal schools do not offer. Its closure would remove an important community space for women building confidence and practical skills.
AustraliaCanberra women seeking affordable trade skills training face losing access to one of few community workshops offering carpentry, upholstery and power-tool training outside formal courses.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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