COTTESLOE MLA Colin Barnett had to answer carers’ concerns about the incoming National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) while handing over a Lotterywest grant yesterday.
The $25,004 Lotterywest grant was presented by the Premier to Shine community services in Cottesloe.
Mr Barnett said the NDIS’ WA version was more flexible than the initial model proposed by Canberra with its restrictive definitions of its services.
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READ NOWHe also said many did not realise the State funded about 80 per cent of community services provided by non-profit groups like Shine.
Asked by Claremont Councillor Karen Wood why the Government had not helped with the refurbish of that town’s pool, Mr Barnett said funding services for which people paid was not in Lotterywest’s charter.
However he said that could change, and the application had not passed a cut-off date.
In 2015-16, 19 community groups from Mt Claremont to North Fremantle shared in $1.07m from the $119m raised by people buying Lotto tickets in 2015-16.
Shine’s grant will be used to keep seniors cool at its headquarters at the former Cottesloe Post Office on Forrest Street.
“The grant will be used to upgrade the air conditioning , and additional laundry facilities which we are using more often,” Shine chair Andrew Cuthbertson said.
Cottesloe, Claremont, Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove councils operate Shine to support seniors’ independent living and continued connection with their communities.
The services provided by 20 staff and volunteers include home help, respite, a day centre, a shopping bus and transport, gardening, outings, and social events.