Question On Notice No. 6362 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 13 August 2020 by Mr A. Krsticevic
Question Directed to the: Minister for Community Services
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the additional $500,000 to expand the opening hours of the Tranby Centre to 7.00 am-7.00 pm, 7 days a week, and ask:
(a) On what date did the expanded operating hours commence;
(b) How much money has been spent on the project to date;
(c) Are the extended hours still in place:
(i) If no to (c), why not and what are the current hours of operation;
(ii) If no to (c), on what date did the extended hours cease and for what reason/s; and
(iii) If no to (c), what surplus funds are available and have these funds been returned to the Department;
(d) Is the Uniting Care West website list of the operating hours, as 7.00 am-2.30pm weekdays, 7.00 am-12.00 noon Saturdays and 12.00 noon-5.00pm Sundays, accurate; and
(e) What alternative drop-in centres are available for homeless people:
(i) after 2.30pm on weekdays;
(ii) after 12.00 noon on Saturdays; and
(iii) before 12.00 noon on Sundays?
Answered on 15 September 2020
(a) 21 October 2019
(b) $500,000 (excluding GST)
(c) No.
(i) There has been an ongoing assessment of the 7:00 am-7:00 pm, seven days a week service model by Uniting WA in consultation with the Department of Communities since its commencement. As a result of this assessment process, the 7.00 am-7.00 pm, seven days a week service model has continually been adapted to meet community need and address issues as they arise, including the commencement of the City of Perth Moore Street homelessness services site.
The Tranby Centre’s current service hours are:
Monday to Friday 7:00am – 2:30pm,
Saturday 7:00am – 12 noon
Sunday 12 noon – 5:00pm.
(ii) The extended hours ceased on 20 July 2020. Service hours were changed as some aspects of the 7:00 am-7:00 pm, seven days a week service model duplicated services provided at the City of Perth Moore Street homelessness services site.
(iii) There will be no surplus funds due to an increase in costs following commencement of the 7:00 am-7:00 pm, seven days a week service model. These increased costs are associated with additional security guards and support workers required as a result of the service reporting increases in people attending the service due to increased referrals from other agencies and antisocial behaviour in and around the area of Tranby following the commencement of increased services.
(d) Yes
(e) The following drop-in centres and alternative services are available in the specified times:
(i) After 2.30pm on weekdays - City of Perth Moore Street Homelessness Services, plus outreach workers in the inner-city area (5.00 – 8.00pm)
(ii) After 12.00 noon on Saturdays - Outreach services are provided by the Salvation Army and the Street Chaplain.
(iii) Before 12.00 noon on Sundays - City of Perth Moore Street Homelessness Services.