$4.6 million for diversionary services in Townsville
Published Thursday, 08 November, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Community organisations are encouraged to apply for funding worth more than $4.6 million in total, for three services targeting homelessness and public intoxication in Townsville.
Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said applications were being sought to operate three local services, Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre, Townsville Cell Visitor Service and Townsville Community Patrol Service.
“For many years the Queensland Government has been working closely with community groups and Indigenous leaders to address homelessness and public intoxication. These three services are fundamental to that process.
“Both the Diversionary Centre and the Townsville Cell Visitor Service are currently run by the Department of Communities, while interim provider Jobfind Centres Australia operates the community patrol.
“The services form part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to breaking the cycles of homelessness, alcohol abuse and crime, with the ultimate objective to support people in rebuilding their lives.
“Diversionary services provide vital support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Townsville area and it is important that they continue to work in close harmony with each other,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Eligible community organisations are invited to apply for any or all of these initiatives.
“Designated amounts of annual funding will be made available for three consecutive years, bearing in mind that cooperative action to achieve the best possible results is what this is all about.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre was established in 1996 and co-located with the cell visitor service.
“Significant support is provided by the centre to people overcoming intoxication. This includes transitional supported accommodation and personal assistance around-the-clock, and is often an alternative to police custody for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people intoxicated in public places.
“The cell visitor service, as its name suggests, offers visitation to detainees at the Townsville watch house.
“The community patrol is an integrated transport service, providing short-distance transport and other outreach services such as links to accommodation, health and advocacy support to Indigenous people intoxicated in public places within the Townsville Thuringowa area.
“In addition to targeting homelessness and public intoxication, diversionary services such as these have the added value of taking a lot of pressure off police and freeing them up for other duties within the community,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Cell visitor services and diversion centres are part of the Queensland Government’s response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991.”
More information and submission forms are available at www.communities.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said applications were being sought to operate three local services, Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre, Townsville Cell Visitor Service and Townsville Community Patrol Service.
“For many years the Queensland Government has been working closely with community groups and Indigenous leaders to address homelessness and public intoxication. These three services are fundamental to that process.
“Both the Diversionary Centre and the Townsville Cell Visitor Service are currently run by the Department of Communities, while interim provider Jobfind Centres Australia operates the community patrol.
“The services form part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to breaking the cycles of homelessness, alcohol abuse and crime, with the ultimate objective to support people in rebuilding their lives.
“Diversionary services provide vital support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Townsville area and it is important that they continue to work in close harmony with each other,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Eligible community organisations are invited to apply for any or all of these initiatives.
“Designated amounts of annual funding will be made available for three consecutive years, bearing in mind that cooperative action to achieve the best possible results is what this is all about.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre was established in 1996 and co-located with the cell visitor service.
“Significant support is provided by the centre to people overcoming intoxication. This includes transitional supported accommodation and personal assistance around-the-clock, and is often an alternative to police custody for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people intoxicated in public places.
“The cell visitor service, as its name suggests, offers visitation to detainees at the Townsville watch house.
“The community patrol is an integrated transport service, providing short-distance transport and other outreach services such as links to accommodation, health and advocacy support to Indigenous people intoxicated in public places within the Townsville Thuringowa area.
“In addition to targeting homelessness and public intoxication, diversionary services such as these have the added value of taking a lot of pressure off police and freeing them up for other duties within the community,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Cell visitor services and diversion centres are part of the Queensland Government’s response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991.”
More information and submission forms are available at www.communities.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280