Published Thursday, 02 October, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
$3.3 million for Gulf and North West Queensland families: Minister
Communities in Queensland's gulf and north-west region will benefit from increased support services to help address issues facing families, including alcohol abuse, domestic violence and neglect.
Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has announced North-West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services would receive $2.3 million over the next three years to address alcohol abuse in Doomadgee and Mornington Island.
“This funding will be used to establish a community patrol service and men's support group in response to alcohol issues in these communities,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Three staff will operate the night patrol in identified hot spots, transporting intoxicated people or those at risk of harm to a safe place and engaging with the community to provide information and referrals to other support services,” she said.
“The men's support group will provide alcohol-free diversionary activities, as well as personal development, parenting and leadership programs.
“A Men's Place will also be set up to improve men's well-being and community safety by making it easier to access health services and programs that will help them deal with the tough issues like alcohol and drugs misuse and domestic violence.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said Centacare's Mount Isa Outreach Service would also receive $1 million over the next three years to provide prevention and early intervention services to help local families affected by issues such as abuse and neglect.
"The Outreach Service provides a wide range of support, including counselling, case management and referral, and individual and group education programs,” said the Minister.
“Individualised support plans are developed to help clients achieve their goals, get their lives back on track and focus on caring for their children.
“This can prevent potentially costly and traumatic family and child protection interventions later on.”
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan welcomed the announcement.
“Having now worked closely with communities’ right across the gulf and north-west this funding is well received to address many of the issues confronting our communities today,” Mrs Kiernan said.
“The re-convened Government Coordinating Committee has worked closely with the Minister to develop long term preventive measures both in the gulf and north-west –
these programs will be supported in these communities and in the city of Mount Isa,” she said.
“Last year, the Mount Isa Outreach Service provided assistance to approximately 150 people in Mount Isa, Normanton, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond, with 10 new clients accessing the service each month.
“The Bligh Government's investment in this service, as well as programs run by North-West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services, all form part of our commitment to supporting a safe and caring community – a key aim of Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland.”
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr's office 3235 4280, Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan 0427152477
Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has announced North-West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services would receive $2.3 million over the next three years to address alcohol abuse in Doomadgee and Mornington Island.
“This funding will be used to establish a community patrol service and men's support group in response to alcohol issues in these communities,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Three staff will operate the night patrol in identified hot spots, transporting intoxicated people or those at risk of harm to a safe place and engaging with the community to provide information and referrals to other support services,” she said.
“The men's support group will provide alcohol-free diversionary activities, as well as personal development, parenting and leadership programs.
“A Men's Place will also be set up to improve men's well-being and community safety by making it easier to access health services and programs that will help them deal with the tough issues like alcohol and drugs misuse and domestic violence.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said Centacare's Mount Isa Outreach Service would also receive $1 million over the next three years to provide prevention and early intervention services to help local families affected by issues such as abuse and neglect.
"The Outreach Service provides a wide range of support, including counselling, case management and referral, and individual and group education programs,” said the Minister.
“Individualised support plans are developed to help clients achieve their goals, get their lives back on track and focus on caring for their children.
“This can prevent potentially costly and traumatic family and child protection interventions later on.”
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan welcomed the announcement.
“Having now worked closely with communities’ right across the gulf and north-west this funding is well received to address many of the issues confronting our communities today,” Mrs Kiernan said.
“The re-convened Government Coordinating Committee has worked closely with the Minister to develop long term preventive measures both in the gulf and north-west –
these programs will be supported in these communities and in the city of Mount Isa,” she said.
“Last year, the Mount Isa Outreach Service provided assistance to approximately 150 people in Mount Isa, Normanton, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond, with 10 new clients accessing the service each month.
“The Bligh Government's investment in this service, as well as programs run by North-West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services, all form part of our commitment to supporting a safe and caring community – a key aim of Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland.”
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr's office 3235 4280, Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan 0427152477