Front line services on the NSW North Coast get an additional $1.9 million in funding

 

From a 7 June 2011 media release from the Federal Member for Page on the NSW North Coast:

PAGE MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed the Gillard Government’s investment of an additional $1.9 million over three years to help 12 community organisations in her electorate provide emergency relief services to vulnerable families and individuals.

The Government is also providing ongoing funding for two financial counselling services -- the Lismore & District Financial Counselling Service Incorporated and Grafton-based Anglicare North Coast Incorporated – to assist people in crisis across the North Coast region.

Ms Saffin said this ongoing investment for front line organisations will ensure services in Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Evans Head and Grafton can continue to help people in real need.

“Emergency relief services provide vulnerable families and individuals with life essentials such as food, clothing, pharmacy, transport vouchers and help with accommodation and utility bills,” Ms Saffin said.

“This secure, ongoing funding recognises that demand for emergency relief services remains high across our region.”

The 12 local organisations, and their funding allocations, are:

·       Salvation Army, Lismore/Tweed, Goonellabah -- $352,619.

·       St Vincent de Paul, Ballina -- $318,024.                                  

·       Salvation Army Lismore Community Welfare Centre, Goonellabah -- $184,372.

·       Salvation Army Grafton Community Welfare Centre -- $183,970.

·       Casino Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated -- $172,110.

·       Riverside Care, South Grafton -- $166,052.

·       St Vincent de Paul, Lismore -- $148,333.

·       St Vincent de Paul, Kyogle -- $132,426.

·       Mid-Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, Evans Head -- $114,971.

·       Lismore Community Services Centre -- $83,302.

·       Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, Grafton -- $34,392.

·       Bunjum Aboriginal Cooperative Limited, Ballina -- $32,251.

Ms Saffin said she was pleased the Government is also continuing to fund the Lismore & District Financial Counselling Service and Anglicare North Coast over the next three years to deliver free, confidential and professional counselling to people experiencing financial difficulties.

The Gillard Government is providing $2.2 million over three years for the 1800 007 007 number so Australians who cannot readily access a face-to-face service can have immediate access to a qualified financial counsellor.