2017-12-14
Greens Regional Development Spokesperson Diane Evers MLC has thrown her support behind a campaign to support the continuation of Community Resource Centres (CRC’s) after the McGowan Government confirmed its plan to cut funding to the program by 40 per cent from 2019-20 onward.
“I have read and been touched by many personal messages from many CRC users about how they rely on their CRC,” Ms Evers said. “It was further evidence that CRC’s not only deliver countless, diverse quantifiable services to rural and regional communities in WA, but they are also provide many less easily measured social and community benefits.
“Any future review must take into account both the specific services as well as broad social and community benefits of the CRC’s which are a natural social hub and service provider, especially for older members of regional communities and regional youth.
“A draft report completed in November 2016 by Curtin University identified around 40 different types of services provided by CRC’s ranging from training to video conferencing for medical patients to childcare, IT assistance, printing services, tourist information, meeting rooms, Centrelink and banking.
“It also found that after older Western Australians, young people were the biggest users of CRC’s.
“However, the report, which strongly recommended for the continuation of CRC’s, found that the current contract for State Government funding was too activity and output-driven. For example, some CRC’s have struggled to demonstrate outcomes for business and economic development services.
“I will be following the new review announced by the Regional Development Minister very closely to ensure that it takes into account the strong community-building benefits of CRC’s and I will oppose any cuts that leave regional communities at a loss.”