Mount Isa disability services countdown to NDIS

Cootharinga Mount Isa is counting down to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with only two days to go until the start of the scheme’s roll-out in Queensland.

Visiting Cootharinga in Mount Isa today, Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the $1.7 billion allocation for disability services in this year’s State Budget reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the NDIS and improving the lives of people with disability.

“Organisations like Cootharinga are important to local people with disability and this is why we have allocated more than $1 million for their services in Mount Isa in this year’s Budget,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This is part of more than $15 million that Cootharinga is receiving to provide disability services across North Queensland.

“It’s great to see the fantastic work they are doing for people with disability in Mt Isa and the north.”

Minister O’Rourke said it was an exciting time for people with disability in Mt Isa, as the region moved closer to entering the scheme, which would start rolling out locally from October. 

“Once fully operational, the NDIS will generate more than 15,900 new jobs in our state’s disability sector, and at least 800 of these jobs could be created in the greater Mount Isa and Townsville region,” she said.

“The NDIS will give local people with disability more choice and control over their services and supports and increase their social and economic participation in the community.

“This is a really exciting time for local people with disability in the region, who will be among the first in the state to start benefitting from the NDIS during the first year of its rollout.”

Cootharinga North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Peter Mewett said the NDIS would help re-define the services they offered.

“The NDIS offers a ray of hope to people who have never had support to meet their life goals and aspirations,” Mr Mewett said.

“Cootharinga is a huge supporter of the NDIS and we are looking forward to it being introduced in Mount Isa.

“We anticipate real growth in the number of people seeking tailored supports and we expect to expand our services in Mount Isa with support designed to deliver what customers want to buy to achieve their goals.”

For further information on the NDIS visit www.ndis.gov.au or call the NDIA Hotline on 1800 800 110.

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  3719 7170