6/8/03
Lockridge residents will benefit from a new purpose-built community centre, opened today by Community Development Minister Sheila McHale.
Ms McHale said the centre in Diana Crescent would provide a focal point for residents in Lockridge and nearby communities including Beechboro, Morley and Bassendean.
"In the past, areas such as Lockridge were perceived as having more than their fair share of social problems," she said.
"I am pleased to say the community has turned this perception around and more and more people are now trying to move into this area.
"Projects such as the new centre are part of the Gallop Government's commitment to help the Lockridge community move from strength to strength.
"The centre has been designed with community needs in mind, and includes meeting rooms, offices, an activity area, outdoor play areas and storage space."
Ms McHale said the centre was created through a partnership between the State Government, Lockridge Community Group (now known as Blue Sky Community Group), the City of Swan and Lotterywest.
The State Government contributed $170,000 towards the cost of the building works and land, and will assist with annual maintenance costs.
The Minister said Lockridge residents had been keen for local community services to be centralised.
"Previously, services for the Lockridge community have operated from a number of different locations," she said.
"This centre will be a permanent home for community services in the area, including counselling, migrant settlement services and youth activities.
"With the new centre also comes the opportunity for people to become actively involved in the life of their community.
"This includes Harmony Day and reconciliation events, sporting teams, such as the soccer team which has been formed for local Iraqi youth, and community-based projects."
Ms McHale said the Blue Sky Community Group would be the main tenant in the new centre, operating a range of services.
The State Government provides more than $114,000 per year to Blue Sky Community Group to provide family support service and financial counselling.
Services offered at the centre will include:
- a settlement service for newly arrived migrants;
- accommodation assistance;
- a Noongar language program for Aboriginal youth;
- a tenancy advice service;
- financial counselling;
- legal advice from a private lawyer (subsidised on a needs basis);
- out of school hours care;
- counselling from a private psychologist (subsidised on a needs basis);
- support for Aboriginal families;
- an Iraqi-Australian group aiming to enhance relations between Iraqi migrants and other community members;
- playgroups; and
- computer training.
"Projects such as the centre highlight the Gallop Government's commitment to delivering a fairer deal for communities across the State," Ms McHale said.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
