Gold Coast centre offers new opportunities for people with a disability

People with cerebral palsy and physical disabilities on the Gold Coast will have greater access to community support and recreational activities with the official opening of a new local day centre.

Visiting the Gold Coast today, Disability Services Minister Tracy Davis officially opened the Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland’s (CPLQ) Support in the Community Centre at Southport.

“This new centre means people with physical disabilities can join in recreation, learning and life skills programs held in the accessible multi-purpose rooms,” Ms Davis said.

“These wide-ranging programs include computer skills, literacy and numeracy, photography, cooking, gardening, arts and crafts and vehicle maintenance.”

Ms Davis said the Queensland Government provided $500,000 towards the construction of the centre and continued to fund CPLQ almost $50 million this financial year to provide a wide range of services and support to people with a disability across Queensland, including the Gold Coast. 

Member for Broadwater Verity Barton said CPLQ clients would greatly benefit from having improved access to the support and community services they needed in a purpose-built centre.

“The Southport centre will also act as a hub for community-based activities including sailing, hydrotherapy, bowling and horse riding,” Ms Barton said.

While visiting the new CPLQ centre Ms Davis also discussed the benefits of DisabiltyCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme, with people living with a disability, their families and carers.

“Non-government organisations such as CPLQ are helping Queenslanders to begin the transition to the NDIS,” Ms Davis said.

“It was great to hear first-hand how important it is to make sure a difference is made to provide certainty, choice and control and opportunities for people with disability and their families.”

Ms Davis said the Newman Government was committed to delivering better outcomes for people living with a disability, their families and carers, delivering an additional $868 million over five-years to support the transition to DisabilityCare in Queensland.

 [ENDS] 27 August 2013

Media Contact: Katherine Smith      0417 172 480