Changes to services won’t affect City clients

In the past, the City received government funding which was used to employ the equivalent of three full time counsellors who provided an invaluable service to residents in financial stress.

The announcement of funding cuts by the Department of Child Protection and Families in 2015 had cast a shadow on how the City could continue to assist its residents. The issue of financial counselling funding was later transferred to the Department of Local Government and Communities (DLGC). Since the budget cuts, the DLGS has been able to fund a service but with reduced support.

“As a result of the State and Federal government cuts, the City has been funding financial counselling services from our operational budget to ensure a minimal impact on our clients,” Mayor Roberts said.

“However this is not sustainable in the long term, so the City’s services are slowly transitioning to external providers, but current service levels will effectively be maintained.”

At its meeting on 24 May, Council agreed to a service model which would see the equivalent of three full time counsellors providing financial counselling services through two agencies – The Spiers Centre and United Care West.

At the same meeting, Council approved fee waivers to the value of $65,000 for The Spiers Centre to operate from Hainsworth Community Centre in Girrawheen, the Phil Renkin Centre in Two Rocks, the Butler Community Centre and the Wanneroo Civic Centre. Uniting Care West currently operates from Baltimore Parade in Merriwa and will continue to do so.

Mayor Roberts said she was pleased that residents would continue to have access to important counselling and advice at convenient City locations.