A majority liberal goverment will:
- Invest an additional $5.7 million into our Neighbourhood House Network and community facilities, including:
- Providing $2.8 million over two years to Neighbourhood Houses to employ new Family and Community Support workers.
- Increasing funding to the peak body, Neighbourhood House Tasmania, with an investment of $400,000 over four years to improve its capacity to support the House Network.
- Extend the Neighbourhood House Capital Improvement Program with a further $2 million investment.
- Provide $500,000 for a new purpose-built facility for Kentish House.
Tasmania’s Neighbourhood Houses are the heart of our local communities.
The Network of 34 Neighbourhood Houses across the State provide a vital point of connection for many members of our community, as well as delivering important services to meet the needs of individuals and families.
The Liberal Government strongly supports the Neighbourhood House Network and the immense contribution made by staff and volunteers, particularly during COVID-19.
At the last election the Liberal Government demonstrated our firm commitment to the important work of neighbourhood houses by increasing core funding to all Neighbourhood Houses by $45,000 per annum.
This has brought the total budget for Neighbourhood Houses to $8.8 million over 4 years.
We want to continue to enhance the work of our Neighbourhood Houses, particularly acknowledging the impact of COVID 19 and the increased demand for services and support.
Providing $2.8 million over two years to Neighbourhood Houses to employ new Family and Community Support workers
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $2.8 million over two years for Neighbourhood Houses to pilot new Family and Community Support Workers.
These new roles will increase the capacity of neighbourhood houses to address complex issues, including mental health, addictive behaviours and relationship breakdowns.
These new resources will be shared by the network and ensure accessible support for people where they live. An independent assessment will be completed at the conclusion of the pilot to ensure the increased demand is being met.
Importantly, this initiative also responds to a key recommendation in the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council, to increasingly fund community-led, place-based initiatives as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Increasing funding to the peak body, Neighbourhood House Tasmania, with an investment of $400,000 over four years to improve its capacity to support the House network
The Tasmanian Liberals acknowledge the essential role of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania (NHT) in representing, supporting and enabling neighbourhood houses to do the important work they do in our communities.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $400,000 over four years to fund a 0.8 FTE position in NHT.
This increase will allow the peak body to improve its capacity to support neighbourhood houses across the State.
It will include support for improved governance, facilitation, training and development and human resources support to improve recruitment and staff management and increase NHT capacity for advocacy and the development of policy, programs and services.
Extend the Neighbourhood House Capital Improvement Program with a further $2 million investment
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide an additional $2 million to extend the Neighbourhood House Capital Improvement Program.
The new investment builds on the initial $2 million program currently being rolled out, and will mean further capital upgrades and enhancements our Neighbourhood House network.
The new investment will allow a further round of capital improvements to the network beyond 2022.
Provide $500,000 for a new purpose-built facility for Kentish House
While not part of the formal Neighbourhood House network, Kentish House in Sheffield has been providing programs that strongly align to the House model since 2015.
Kentish House supports local families, provides programs for all ages and ensures connections and referrals to core support services.
However, they have now outgrown their existing building.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $500,000 for a purpose-built facility to ensure Kentish House can continue providing important services to the Kentish community.
This contribution comes on top of the Liberal Government’s existing funding allocation of $580,000 over four years (2018-2022) to ensure that individuals and families in the Kentish Community have access to services in their local area.
Our record in Government
- Increased core funding to all Neighbourhood Houses by $45,000 per annum.
- Provided $150,000 over two years for security upgrades for the network
- Recognised and funded Phoenix House on King Island as a regional Neighbourhood House
- Applied ERO and Indexation to all Houses and NHT from 2019-20.
- Allocated an additional $700,000 in funding for the network to support ongoing community development work during the pandemic response, including for peak body NHT to assist with coordination of the network response
- Provided a $2 million for Capital Improvement Program, which is well advanced with Tranche 1 works completed or underway.
- Delivered a new Strategic Framework and a Shared Commitment to Collaboration
Costings:
The total cost of this policy is $5.7 million over 4 years.