MEDIA RELEASES

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COLEDALE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Issued 10.12.02

Independent candidate for the seat of Tamworth in the forthcoming NSW State election Peter Draper is concerned by the slow response from the Department of Community Services to his request for one off funding for the Coledale Community Centre. In mid November Mr Draper sent a request for funding to the Hon Carmel Tebbutt in her capacity of Minister for Community Services, and was pleased with the initial response from the Ministers department. He has since been advised that DoCS are waiting on a consultant's report before considering the funding request further.

"While appreciating the role of due process in this matter, I am concerned by the time it is taking for the consultants report to be prepared and presented for consideration," said Mr Draper. "The level of recurrent funding needs to be addressed to consider the changed circumstances affecting the Community Centre since the original funding level was determined. Unless this issue is rersolved, there will be ongoing problems with meeting future expenditure requirements. An even more pressing problem is the need to address the existing shortfall as a matter of urgency."

As a result of the time it has taken for the Department to receive the consultant's report, Mr Draper has been in discussion with a local community organisation in an effort to deliver interim assistance while the Department waits on the report.

"It concerns me that I have had to look outside the State Government to assist the Coledale Community Centre, but the time that has already elapsed has forced this course of action. I am very encouraged by the response I have received locally, and while my submission for financial assistance has yet to proceed through all of the necessary local channels, I am pleased by the reaction from key players. A decision will be made early in the New Year, and if we receive the approval I am hoping for, the Community Centre will be in a position to focus more fully on Youth Services, as well as resolve some of their pressing space problems. The Centre will still need Departmental assistance, but at least some funds may be made available to help address urgent issues in the short term," said Mr Draper.

"The Community Centre is far too important to the Coledale community to be put on the back burner," commented Mr Draper. "I would hate to think that any of the services offered at the Community Centre could be jeopardized by the time it takes for a consultant to prepare a report."

End Release

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