ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS
8 October 2002
14. Itinerant Housing, Health and Social Services
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. How is the minister addressing the variety of needs of the itinerant population and finding solutions for those suffering with alcohol and other drug problems?
2. What progress has been made so far to address the itinerant population’s needs using the combined financial resources of housing, health and social services areas of government in an orchestrated manner to find at least part solutions or satisfactory alternatives to their plight?
1. Has the minister made the case for establishing an interdepartmental review committee to address the problems and administrative coordination process for question 2?
ANSWER
The Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs (DCDSCA) has announced in the 2003-2004 Budget a total of $5.25M for services such as Community Patrols, Larrakia Hosts, Intervention and Education and includes capital investment for accommodation to assist Itinerants. My Department has been an integral partner in developing the Itinerant project to ensure adequate management of intoxication, assessment, withdrawal and ongoing treatment for this client group. It is intended that this project becomes a NT-wide strategy and regional consultation has commenced.
In Darwin, the Department of Health and Community Services negotiated a contract with Mission Australia in December 2002 to pilot a Community Day Patrol. This service provides the vital role of outreach interventions and referrals during daytime hours from 8.00am, at a time when access to liquor is restricted and therefore, interventions are far more likely to be successful.
My Department is committed to expanding existing patrol and sobering–up shelter services in the very near future as well as an integrated approach to managing long term needs, including chronic dependency.
The Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs (DCDSCA) has the coordinating role for the Itinerants Project.
16. ANSTI Vehicle Breakdown
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. Why was ANSTI (A New Start Towards Independence), left struggling recently to meet the needs of itinerant groups after its 12-year-old vehicle had broken down?
2. Why was this organisation unable to obtain help with a short-term loan of a bus, despite appealing to four ministers of the Northern Territory government for help?
ANSWER
ANSTI is funded by the Department of Health and Community Services to provide an accommodation and support service for single men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. ANSTI has a good record in assisting many of their clients to achieve good outcomes in employment and rehabilitation. ANSTI is currently participating with other Government and non-Government service providers in the Itinerants Project being co-ordinated by the Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs.
From 1 July 2002 responsibility for meeting the costs associated with the gifting and loan vehicle transferred from the Department of Corporate and Information Services to sponsoring Government agencies. However, in late 2002 a new process for approving the gifting of vehicles was introduced when Community Services Obligations were reinstated. As a result of these policy changes, a sponsoring Government agency is responsible for assessing the request for the gift. The final decision is made by the Treasurer.
In September 2002, ANSTI requested a replacement vehicle when their previously gifted 12-seater bus was deemed beyond repair. On 21 November 2002 the Department of the Chief Minister loaned ANSTI a 22-seater bus pending a final decision about the gifting of a vehicle.
Under the new process the Department of Health and Community Services assessed and strongly supported ANSTI’s request for a replacement vehicle. Funding for the 2002/2003 financial period was fully expended, therefore, Treasury is preparing a request for gifting of a vehicle under the 2003/04 budget if approved.
12 August 2003
44. Effects of water requirements of the recreational fishing industry on the Daly River
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Has the government taken into consideration the water requirements of the recreational fishing industry on the Daly River in adopting a 20% annual water extraction rate from both surface water and groundwater supplies.
ANSWER
The Government has taken into consideration the water requirements of the recreational fishing industry on the Daly River in adopting a 20% ceiling on annual water extraction from both surface water and groundwater supplies.
The opportunity for further review and refinement of the current approach to regulating water extractions will be included as part of public consultation in the near future on a Water Allocation Plan for the Daly River region – covering the coordinated consideration of both surface water and groundwater.
This review will be based on the recommendations and findings of the environmental flows research and will cover the following matters:
accounting for the combined needs of the environment on both groundwater and river flows in planning for regional development;
restricting the pumping of over-bank river floods until they have dropped by 1 metre below peak level to protect floodplain wetlands and ecosystems;
restricting additional dry season pumping from the rivers without more study of ecosystem needs;
not allowing dams to be built on the Daly and Katherine Rivers;
not permitting additional bores within 3 km of the Daly and Katherine Rivers unless detailed hydrologic modelling demonstrates no impacts on river flows or water quality to protect river ecosystems depend on groundwater springs feeding into dry season river flows; and
not permitting additional irrigation within 500m from the Daly and Katherine Rivers.
The Government is committed, through its current regulatory practices and regional planning initiatives, to ensuring the safe development of the Daly River region within ecologically sustainable limits – including the proper consideration of water requirements for the recreational fishing industry.
14. Itinerant Housing, Health and Social Services
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. How is the minister addressing the variety of needs of the itinerant population and finding solutions for those suffering with alcohol and other drug problems?
2. What progress has been made so far to address the itinerant population’s needs using the combined financial resources of housing, health and social services areas of government in an orchestrated manner to find at least part solutions or satisfactory alternatives to their plight?
1. Has the minister made the case for establishing an interdepartmental review committee to address the problems and administrative coordination process for question 2?
ANSWER
The Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs (DCDSCA) has announced in the 2003-2004 Budget a total of $5.25M for services such as Community Patrols, Larrakia Hosts, Intervention and Education and includes capital investment for accommodation to assist Itinerants. My Department has been an integral partner in developing the Itinerant project to ensure adequate management of intoxication, assessment, withdrawal and ongoing treatment for this client group. It is intended that this project becomes a NT-wide strategy and regional consultation has commenced.
In Darwin, the Department of Health and Community Services negotiated a contract with Mission Australia in December 2002 to pilot a Community Day Patrol. This service provides the vital role of outreach interventions and referrals during daytime hours from 8.00am, at a time when access to liquor is restricted and therefore, interventions are far more likely to be successful.
My Department is committed to expanding existing patrol and sobering–up shelter services in the very near future as well as an integrated approach to managing long term needs, including chronic dependency.
The Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs (DCDSCA) has the coordinating role for the Itinerants Project.
16. ANSTI Vehicle Breakdown
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
1. Why was ANSTI (A New Start Towards Independence), left struggling recently to meet the needs of itinerant groups after its 12-year-old vehicle had broken down?
2. Why was this organisation unable to obtain help with a short-term loan of a bus, despite appealing to four ministers of the Northern Territory government for help?
ANSWER
ANSTI is funded by the Department of Health and Community Services to provide an accommodation and support service for single men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. ANSTI has a good record in assisting many of their clients to achieve good outcomes in employment and rehabilitation. ANSTI is currently participating with other Government and non-Government service providers in the Itinerants Project being co-ordinated by the Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs.
From 1 July 2002 responsibility for meeting the costs associated with the gifting and loan vehicle transferred from the Department of Corporate and Information Services to sponsoring Government agencies. However, in late 2002 a new process for approving the gifting of vehicles was introduced when Community Services Obligations were reinstated. As a result of these policy changes, a sponsoring Government agency is responsible for assessing the request for the gift. The final decision is made by the Treasurer.
In September 2002, ANSTI requested a replacement vehicle when their previously gifted 12-seater bus was deemed beyond repair. On 21 November 2002 the Department of the Chief Minister loaned ANSTI a 22-seater bus pending a final decision about the gifting of a vehicle.
Under the new process the Department of Health and Community Services assessed and strongly supported ANSTI’s request for a replacement vehicle. Funding for the 2002/2003 financial period was fully expended, therefore, Treasury is preparing a request for gifting of a vehicle under the 2003/04 budget if approved.
12 August 2003
44. Effects of water requirements of the recreational fishing industry on the Daly River
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Has the government taken into consideration the water requirements of the recreational fishing industry on the Daly River in adopting a 20% annual water extraction rate from both surface water and groundwater supplies.
ANSWER
The Government has taken into consideration the water requirements of the recreational fishing industry on the Daly River in adopting a 20% ceiling on annual water extraction from both surface water and groundwater supplies.
The opportunity for further review and refinement of the current approach to regulating water extractions will be included as part of public consultation in the near future on a Water Allocation Plan for the Daly River region – covering the coordinated consideration of both surface water and groundwater.
This review will be based on the recommendations and findings of the environmental flows research and will cover the following matters:
accounting for the combined needs of the environment on both groundwater and river flows in planning for regional development;
restricting the pumping of over-bank river floods until they have dropped by 1 metre below peak level to protect floodplain wetlands and ecosystems;
restricting additional dry season pumping from the rivers without more study of ecosystem needs;
not allowing dams to be built on the Daly and Katherine Rivers;
not permitting additional bores within 3 km of the Daly and Katherine Rivers unless detailed hydrologic modelling demonstrates no impacts on river flows or water quality to protect river ecosystems depend on groundwater springs feeding into dry season river flows; and
not permitting additional irrigation within 500m from the Daly and Katherine Rivers.
The Government is committed, through its current regulatory practices and regional planning initiatives, to ensuring the safe development of the Daly River region within ecologically sustainable limits – including the proper consideration of water requirements for the recreational fishing industry.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016