Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett today welcomed the news that the Salvation Army had received $3 million assistance in the latest round of Gladstone Foundation grants.
Councillor Burnett said the funds would enable the Salvation Army to strengthen its Connect/Doorways program by co-locating at the soon to be constructed Integrated Health Precinct on Philip Street.
"By co-locating at the Philip Street precinct, the Salvation Army will be able to integrate with other social welfare organisations to improve individual and community services," Cr Burnett said. "The funding means the Salvation Army can establish a multi-tenanted Community Centre, an Allied Health Centre and the Child and Family Centre - Stage 1." Cr Burnett said Council had committed $5.2m in is 2016-17 budget to commence construction of the precinct and a facility in which to relocate its Community Advisory Service, a pivotal social welfare service for the region.
"The co-location of the three Salvation Army centres and the Community Advisory Service significantly strengthen the Salvation Army's ability to serve the Gladstone community," he said.
Cr Burnett said the Salvation Army's Connect/Doorways program sought to build people's capacity and address the underlying cause of financial distress. "The Connect/Doorways philosophy, "One Door - No Wrong Door" aims to create pathways to multiple community services and strengthen client access to a range of social and practical support programs delivered by the Salvation Army and by community agencies," he said.
"The program is not just about the provision of material assistance but involves creating pathways to multiple community services that can help address clients' underlying issues and needs." Cr Burnett said the Integrated Health Precinct would not have eventuated were it not for Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd securing a commitment from the Federal Government to invest $20 million in widening Philip Street.
"The Federal Government's commitment to widening a 700-metre section of Philip Street will not only help ease traffic congestion and boost driver safety, it enables for improved entrance and exit access for the Integrated Health Precinct,'' Cr Burnett said.
"Council is grateful for the hard work done by Mr O'Dowd to help secure the funding as it has enabled the construction of the long-awaited but much-needed health precinct to go ahead." Cr Burnett was also delighted at the Gladstone Foundation's announcement today that it had provided $1 million for Mercy Aged Care to provide mental health services at the Gladstone Mater Hospital and $500,000 for CQUniversity to deliver health and aged care training in the Gladstone Region.
The Gladstone Foundation manages the voluntary contributions made by infrastructure project proponents in Gladstone towards social infrastructure in the region.
We are teaming up with the Salvos for our I believe in Christmas toy drive this week you can drop off a toy for a child in need at any of these locations:
Rockhampton
110 Victoria Parade
Gladstone
65 Central Lane
Emerald
21 Esmond St