The Bulletin No. 7 - June 2011.

Community Central Update.

June 2011

In the weeks since announcing the closure of Community Central the Board and Management of Colony 47 have been overwhelmed by support from the public, to the Prime Minister in a unified effort to find a solution.

On 17 May the Board of Colony 47 was forced to make the decision to close the Community Central service by the end of the month.

The State Government has extended additional funding to Colony 47’s drop-in service for a further month to help clients transition to alternative programs and services if a long-term home for the service cannot be found.

Premier Lara Giddings said the State Government has been having positive discussions with a number of organisations interested in working with Colony 47 to transition to a new service within Hobart’s CBD.

“We all want to see a positive outcome to this matter and the Government recognises the urgency in finding a solution,” Ms Giddings said.

Ms Giddings also welcomed the Federal Government’s interest in the matter and the Hobart City Council’s commitment to joining the search for alternative inner-city premises.

Alderman Marty Zucco said that following the announcement of the proposed closure of Colony 47’s Community Central Program, the Hobart City Council moved to prepare an urgent report on how Council may be able to assist Colony 47 in the short term.

“Colony 47 is an important organisation in this City and the opportunity now exists to work with the State, businesses and other organisations to continue services to those members of our community” Alderman Zucco said.

CEO of Colony 47 Therese Taylor is welcoming the groundswell of public support for Colony 47 since the announced closure.

“There seems to be an unspoken consensus from the public that Hobart needs a program like Community Central for those members of our community to go to and feel supported” Ms Taylor said.

The Board and management of Colony 47 undertook lengthy negotiations with the State Government in an attempt to secure additional funding, but unfortunately in the current financial climate, these were not been successful.

“It has been a tremendously difficult decision as Community Central has been providing meals, referrals and other social opportunities to people in the Hobart area for more than 30 years”, Ms Taylor said.

Fortunately, the Government, through its discussions has found an alternative service provider who is willing to take over the service from July 1, 2011. “

Colony 47 is very happy with this solution as the clients of Community Central are our priority and it appears that they will be able to continue to access a similar service.” Ms Taylor said.

Colony 47 will work closely with the new providers to ensure the transfer of the service is as smooth as possible for clients.