Published Friday, 02 May, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Group established to support transient people in Mount Isa
The Queensland Government has re-established a Government Coordination Group in Mt Isa to coordinate support for transient people.
Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said she had re-established the group at the request of state Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan.
“The Government Coordination Group (GCG) will be made up of Local Elders, government and non-government agencies,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Its key focus will be on the reported increase in number of transient people in Mount Isa and will accompany the Queensland Government’s already existing services and support.
“I have also contacted my federal counterpart, Hon Jenny Macklin MP, to start the discussion about how we manage and assist those people who have come from the NT to Mt Isa to avoid alcohol restrictions.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said in the meantime the GCG will coordinate ways to address the resulting social issues such as homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and lack of employment.
“The group will build strong relationships with these surrounding communities, support temporary residents and manage their impact on the local community.”
Chair of the GCG and local Member Betty Kiernan welcomed the decision to re-establish the committee.
“The GCG had many successes when it was first established in 2002, including establishing and guiding the implementation of the residential based alcohol rehabilitation service Jimaylya Topsy Harry Centre,” Ms Kiernan said.
“It will assist people experiencing various stages of homelessness and alcohol misuse to develop the skills required to integrate back into their home town or Mount Isa community.
“The re-activated committee will enable us to successfully manage an increase in demand for these support services.”
The GCG is part of the regional response to the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness initiative.
“The group will meet regularly to develop strategies to manage Indigenous matters in the local area. I look forward to receiving their quarterly reports on the positive outcomes being achieved,” Ms Kiernan said.
The Government Coordination Group will include:
• Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan (Chair)
• Mount Isa City Council Mayor John Molony
• Chair, North West Regional Managers Coordination Network, Martin Kelly
• Kalkadoon representative
• Industry representative
• Non-government organisation representative
• Senior officers from Department of Communities’ Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership, Department of Housing, Queensland Police, Queensland Health and the Commonwealth Government
Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said she had re-established the group at the request of state Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan.
“The Government Coordination Group (GCG) will be made up of Local Elders, government and non-government agencies,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Its key focus will be on the reported increase in number of transient people in Mount Isa and will accompany the Queensland Government’s already existing services and support.
“I have also contacted my federal counterpart, Hon Jenny Macklin MP, to start the discussion about how we manage and assist those people who have come from the NT to Mt Isa to avoid alcohol restrictions.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said in the meantime the GCG will coordinate ways to address the resulting social issues such as homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and lack of employment.
“The group will build strong relationships with these surrounding communities, support temporary residents and manage their impact on the local community.”
Chair of the GCG and local Member Betty Kiernan welcomed the decision to re-establish the committee.
“The GCG had many successes when it was first established in 2002, including establishing and guiding the implementation of the residential based alcohol rehabilitation service Jimaylya Topsy Harry Centre,” Ms Kiernan said.
“It will assist people experiencing various stages of homelessness and alcohol misuse to develop the skills required to integrate back into their home town or Mount Isa community.
“The re-activated committee will enable us to successfully manage an increase in demand for these support services.”
The GCG is part of the regional response to the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness initiative.
“The group will meet regularly to develop strategies to manage Indigenous matters in the local area. I look forward to receiving their quarterly reports on the positive outcomes being achieved,” Ms Kiernan said.
The Government Coordination Group will include:
• Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan (Chair)
• Mount Isa City Council Mayor John Molony
• Chair, North West Regional Managers Coordination Network, Martin Kelly
• Kalkadoon representative
• Industry representative
• Non-government organisation representative
• Senior officers from Department of Communities’ Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership, Department of Housing, Queensland Police, Queensland Health and the Commonwealth Government
Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280