The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) and Linkwest welcomes the announcement today that funding for the Community Resource Centres (CRCs) will continue at the full $13 million per year.
CRCs are not-for-profit organisations that are independently owned and operated by their local communities, which provide access to a range of services and activities in regional and remote areas of WA.
“We congratulate Linkwest and the CRCs for advocating so strongly for the importance of their services, and applaud the McGowan Government for listening to what they had to say,” said Louise Giolitto, CEO, WACOSS.
“Community Resource Centres are an extraordinary example of grassroots, place-based, community-run assets that build a more resilient and engaged community.”
“Increasingly, they are playing a vital role in combating digital exclusion in regional areas, supporting people access services online that they would otherwise have to travel great distances at considerable expense to use,” Louise said.
Linkwest CEO, Jane Chilcott said, “We are delighted with this outcome, and we welcome the opportunity to work with State Government to build upon the already strong foundation that CRCs provide to regional and remote Western Australian communities.”
Just this week, the Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre (BCEC) released the report Falling Through the Net: The Digital Divide in Western Australia, which highlighted the challenge that people on low incomes face, when accessing digital technologies.
“CRCs are integral to the success and wellbeing of the communities that they serve. We are thrilled to see that they will be able to play that part with the continued support of the State Government,” Jane said.
Ends.
Contacts:
Linkwest: Lee Steel, Vice-Chairperson, Linkwest, 0409 034 540, [email protected]
WACOSS: Laurene Coller, Communications Officer, WACOSS, 0419 316 557, [email protected]
To download a PDF version of this media release, click here.
