From its new and larger location in Berry Street, opposite the Nowra Library, the organisation will be able to help more people.

Last financial year, the society recorded a 25 per cent increase in local people seeking support.

The society had outgrown its old Plunkett Street premises and had been forced to turn down donations of goods, which could have been sold with the proceeds used to help local people in need.

The old building only offered 200 square metres of retail space, compared to the new building, which has 400 square metres of floor space.

The society bought the Plunkett Street building in 1966 and opened its retail shop in 1971.

Acting manager Geoff Warrington, who has been overseeing the move, said staff and volunteers had been particularly busy for over two weeks but would be ready for opening day.

“This building and layout are brilliant,” Mr Warrington said.

“It has been a big job moving from one building into another.

“We would not have been able to make the move without the efforts of our diocese chief executive officer Debbie Nixon and our volunteer stores coordinator Gaynor Mason.”

Mr Warrington said the new-style Vinnies stores wanted to look like regular retail outlets, not second-hand shops.

The society’s support services will share the new building and be able to offer people more privacy.

BHI Architecture did the design work, Ablock Builders was the builder and local sub-contractors also worked on the project.

BHI took a “sustainable and simple” approach.

With solar panels producing electricity, efficient use of space, flow of natural light and minimal use of air-conditioning, the building has been designed to reduce its carbon footprint.