MANDURAH’S chief executive has blasted the State and Federal governments for offering little support to the City while it struggles with high unemployment and
At a civic reception on Monday afternoon, City of Mandurah chief executive Mark Newman, dropped all pretence of being apolitical and begged the both tiers on government to help Mandurah.
Mandurah is currently experiencing one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
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READ NOWStatistics in released in September revealed that Mandurah has 11.5 per cent unemployment.
Women and young people living in the area are being hit particularly hard.
“I am aware the economic plight for Mandurah is at its worst for a long time,” Mr Newman said.
“Rapidly rising unemployment and I mean rapidly, it was six per cent three years ago, is really having an impact on the community.
“If the numbers that came out a few weeks ago are correct, that impact is mainly on our youth and females.”
Mr Newman said there is a real need for assistance in these areas.
“This is not a role for the City of Mandurah,” he said.
“There is a role for us to assist and do what we can, but the State and Federal governments need to be fair.
“There is significant funding by the government on the east coast and their plight is nowhere near what our plight is at the moment.”
Mr Newman said the unemployment rate is having a negative impact on housing, homelessness, crime, domestic violence and alcohol abuse.
“The idea is that the city will do what it can to help, we are here to partner, but these are state and federal government issues,” he said.
“I am saying its time for us to get vocal about these issues.
“The hopes for this community rest on jobs and unless something is done about jobs for locals we are going to continue to be in trouble.”
Mr Newman said the government had allocated funding to other areas in an attempt to win votes, while Mandurah had been largely ignored.
“It is time for us to get our fair share.”