Community services “on a shoestring”

The State Government’s decision ignores the recommendation, within a review commissioned by the Department of Community Services (DoCS) in February last year, that funding for neighbourhood centres be increased by $45 million over three years. The first $15 million of this rise was expected to be delivered in the 2009-2010 State budget.

Jan Leach, manager of South Sydney Community Aid, said: “I was desperately disappointed. It’s like the government has blinkers on and doesn’t know what’s going on out there. They expect us to run services on a shoestring. The situation is untenable,” she said.

While funding has not increased for community services above indexation since 1995, demand for their support has jumped in the last five years. Inquiries about support for homeless people have nearly tripled in four years at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, from 551 daily in 2004 to 1,525 last year. Inquiries about other services have nearly doubled in four years at the centre, from 43 each day to 82.

While some community centres maintain their services through fundraising, some will have to reduce opening hours, despite public support. Canterbury City Community Centre will open three days instead of five each week due to a funding shortfall.

Newtown Neighbourhood Centre will close its housing support service before the end of the year unless funding increases, according to Lisa Burns, the Centre’s executive officer.

Asha Ramzan, Executive Officer of the Inner South-West Community Development Organisation, said that community centres were a first stop for victims of child abuse and domestic violence. “We know that, if we neglect community groups, it will have a long-term effect on the disadvantaged. They are becoming the breeding ground for future abuse, neglect and unemployment,” she said.

The State Government has allocated $750 million over five years to child protection programs, under its Keep Them Safe action plan to reduce child abuse and neglect.

Linda Burney, Minister for Community Services, said: “This package includes $37 million over five years to support early intervention and prevention programs, to be delivered by the non-government sector.”

Ms Burney agreed that community centres provide valuable child protection services.

“While there is no direct increase in the budget for community centres, a significant proportion of services will be eligible to submit expressions of interest as the new child protection initiatives are implemented,” she said. “I would like to assure community organisations that discussions on community service funding are still on the government agenda, and will be under consideration in future budgets.”

Reynato Reodica, Executive Officer of the Youth Action and Policy Association said: “The more acute social problems are getting government attention. The services that prevent them in the first place are not being recognised, and the cost savings involved in funding them are not being recognised. These sorts of links are not being made by the government and it’s worrying.”

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au