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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 18 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 February 2019 by Hon Diane Evers

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES — THE PEOPLE PLACE, BUSSELTON

18. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Community Services:

I refer to the empowering communities program and the Department of Communities' competitive tender process.

(1) Is the minister aware that the People Place in Busselton, which provides vital community services and programs and was previously funded under the former supporting communities program, was considered ineligible for funding through the competitive tender process?

(2) If yes, can the minister advise what criteria was not met?

(3) In December last year, the assistant director general, Brad Jolly, stated in the media that ''the department will work with them to enhance their service model in line with the CNDS program to ensure they provide the best service to children, families and communities in the Busselton area''. What has the department done so far to achieve this?

(4) Will the minister confirm the commitment of the department to work with the People Place to secure long-term funding beyond 2020; and, if not, why not?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) Yes.

(2) The Department of Communities completed an open tender process for the empowering communities program. Although the People Place, Busselton, tender offer is confidential, and, as such, cannot be disclosed, I can advise that the Department of Communities has provided it with feedback on its offer on 16 January 2019.

(3) Communities has communicated to the People Place, Busselton, that it will have its service agreement extended to 30 June 2020. During the provision of feedback, preliminary discussions were held regarding ways to strengthen the service model, staff skills and governance practices so that the organisation is better placed for future opportunities. Senior officers from the Department of Communities will meet again with the People Place, Busselton, in the near future to discuss potential enhancements to the service model.

(4) During the next 18 months, the Department of Communities will work with the People Place, Busselton, to develop a service model to align with the requirements of the empowering communities program. Further to this, communities is commencing discussions with the People Place, Busselton, to have its deed of licence for the centre extended to 2024. This will ensure there is an ongoing, affordable asset in Busselton that can be used by community groups.