18/10/01
Housing Minister Tom Stephens has welcomed the involvement of the community in the Eastern Horizons New Living project.
But he says there is room for more community groups to be involved in the $19.5 million refurbishment of the Midland, Midvale, Koongamia and parts of Swan View project.
"New Living is about creating vital, safe new neighbourhoods from some of the tired old public housing areas across WA and to do this community involvement in needed," Mr Stephens said.
"It's not just about incorporating ideas from the community, there is actual work available because Eastern Horizons is being built with the help of local groups."
Mr Stephens said he was delighted with the involvement of the Hills Community Support Group (HCSG) and the Koongamia Sporting Club (KSC), each of which have won contracts that play a major part in the rehabilitation of the Midland area.
Both groups have won tenders for landscaping and helping to clear up in the project.
HCSG was established in 1983 as an umbrella group to seek and accept funding to deliver services to a variety of members of the community needing assistance.
Through HCSG unemployed youth, some with psychiatric disabilities, are being given back their pride through working for Midland Project Management (MPM), which manages Eastern Horizons for the Department of Housing and Works (DHW).
The KSC, made up predominately of Aboriginal people, tendered and won work with MPM as a way of helping its young footballers pay their fees and get the club out of debt.
Spokesman for MPM Mr Richard Affleck said the involvement of the local community groups was helping to build pride and ownership in the overall project, while helping those who had difficulty gaining work.
It also provided work experience which would stand them in good stead for other employment once Eastern Horizons was completed.
MPM is anxious to get more community groups involved and will hold an information meeting on Monday November 5 at Hooley House at 10am.
The DHW will have representatives on hand to give an overall view on the international award winning New Living and MPM will outline opportunities for work.
Groups interested should register with Glenys Ripp at MPM on 9272 6444.
Media contact: Vanessa Joynt Minister's Office 9213 6500
