The NGO will open a cafe staffed with locals living with a disability, and is set to open by April. 

The new venture will operate out of the old Silver Screen Cafe on First Street. 

“Our executive officer identified a gap in town for social enterprise, and limited training and employment options for people with a disability,” Mr Mullane said. 

“She was hunting around for ideas, and it was just good timing that the cafe next door to our office shut down. 

“Our plan is to employ up to 10 staff and offer them training. We are in discussions with CDU about training at the moment so people can walk away with skills and options,” he said. 

Mr Mullane said the cafe would start out modestly, but there are already plans to expand into new ventures and projects. 

“It is going to be a great adventure,” Mr Mullane said. 

“We are looking to open in late March or maybe even early April. We will be changing the inside to give it a face-lift so it looks like a new cafe. 

“It will have a new name and will have a totally new style, something that has not been seen in Katherine yet,” he said. 

“I think locals and tourists will love it.”

Mr Mullane said the roll out of the NDIS has made the venture possible. 

“So someone with a disability, who has an NDIS plan, will be able to get funding for employment support. This means the cafe will have more staff than you would normally see,” Mr Mullane said. 

“We are funding the project ourselves, but the support workers will be funded through the NDIS. 

“I think people will see the huge benefits of the project, people have already embraced the idea and Sandra Nelson has been really supportive,” he said.