Related content: Forster identified as a hotspot
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A SUB-COMMITTEE of the Forster Neighbourhood Centre will hold a meeting next week to discuss the changeover of the Taree Women’s Refuge.
Centre manager Trish Wallace said the Housing 1st committee will meet to talk with the organisations that have been the successful tenders of the refuge.
They include the Samaritans Foundation who will take over the main operations and Great Lakes Community Resources who have won the contract for the youth homeless package.
The committee will also discuss Great Lakes Council’s submission requesting funding for emergency accommodation for women in the Great Lakes which was rejected by the state government recently.
Councillor Jim Morwitch will be attending the meeting on behalf of council.
Ms Wallace said there are many questions that still needed to be answered.
“We are operating in the dark at the moment,” Ms Wallace said of the takeover of the Taree refuge.
“So we are hopeful there will be representation from the Samaritans as well as Great Lakes Community Resources so they can let us know how they’re going to cater for Great Lakes residents and what services are available.”
Ms Wallace said she too was disappointed by the state government’s rejection especially given that the Great Lakes was not considered a priority Local Government area for state government funding made available as part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Nevertheless, she said she would “keep banging the drum” to get local services established.
The committee meeting will take place at the Neighbourhood Centre on December 3.
Samaritans say refuge is ready
THE Samaritans Foundation has confirmed that the Taree Women’s Refuge is fully operational.
A spokesperson said that the refuge is run for women, by women and anyone needing referral to the refuge can do so through the previous channels including the local police, Centrelink or Department of Housing.
The Samaritans are also operating a separate service in Taree offering support to men, women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. This hub is located down Solomon’s Lane, behind Centrelink in Victoria Street, Taree. Phone 6550 1191 for more information.