Respite facility one step closer

A long-awaited respite facility in Port Hedland is a step closer to reality after the State Government opened tenders for the operation of the emergency respite support services.

The successful applicant to operate the purpose-built facility will cater for people with disabilities, their families and carers at the 2000sqm site on Athol Road, Cooke Point.

The Housing Authority has provided the land for the project and will work with the Disability Services Commission to develop a model and construct and provide ongoing management of the centre.

A spokesperson for the Commission said the facility would increase the availability of and access to options for people with disabilities and their families living in the Pilbara to “have a break”.

“The service should offer a mix of both fully funded place and also free or low cost options for those without funding,” they said.

“The goal of the Commission would be to have this facility completed and operational within 12 months.”

Hedland Community Living Association chairwoman Ms Foley said after 20 years of lobbying the State Government, it was encouraging to see the project finally in motion but that construction was well overdue.

“I just hope there are no further delays, the people of Hedland have been waiting far too long for these services,” she said.

More than $2.5 million has been allocated to the project, with construction due to be finalised by the end of 2016.

At present almost three thousand people use Commission-funded respite services through residential, in home respite and brokerage respite services across WA.

Further information about the proposed services required can be found on www.tenders.wa.gov.au

Expressions of interest for the Pilbara Respite Centre close Thursday February 4 at 2.30pm.